MOI 



MRS.WIALCO] 



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UNITED STATES OF AMEKICA. 









WILLIAM D. TICKNOR, 

Corner of Washington and School Streets? 

BOSTON, 

Publishes among numerous and important standard 
works, the following which have been recently issued 
from the press. 



THE HIGH SCHOOL READER, designed for a First 
Class Book, consisting of extracts in prose and poet- 
ry. By Rev. J. L. Blake, A. M. 

From the Rev. Howard Malcom, Boston. 

6 1 have attentively examined the " Reader," by Mr. 
Blake, and am impressed with its excellence. The 
pieces tend strictly to the advancement of moral feeling, 
while they cannot fail to cultivate the taste, and extend 
the information of the reader.' 

LEVISON ON MENTAL CULTURE." 

Extract of a Letter to the Publishers, by a Minister 
in the vicinity of Boston. 

* I am gratified to learn that you have concluded to re- 
publish Levison^s Mental Culture. I have read it with 
great interest, and conceive that the principles upon 
which he recommends the education of youth to be con- 
ducted, are those which correspond with the nature of 
man. To most persons in this country, they are new, 
but they will not, therefore, be condemned. This, sure- 
ly, is the last nation on earth, in which an old error shall 
be preferred to a new truth. The science on which Le- 
vison's work is based, will not long, in America, be ac- 
counted " a system of fortune telling," when it shall be 
seen (as it will be) that, by discovering more fully 
man's nature, or what he is, it affords the greatest facili- 
ties, by the education of his feelings, and intellectual 
faculties and moral sentiments, for rendering him what 
he ought to be. To teachers and parents it cannot be 
too strongly recommended, as acquainting them with 
mind, the material on which they are daily operating, 
and as suggesting to them the proper modes of opera- 
tion. I am pleased too, at the pointed references to 
the great truths of natural and revealed religion , and to 



some of the leading duties of practical piety, especially 
prayer. These indeed might have been more numerous, 
but I greet the few I find, joyfully ; because, coming, as 
they do, from the advocate of philosophy charged with 
uprooting the foundations of religion, they afford proof 
that that philosophy is slandered in these imputations.' 

From Rev. J. Pierpont. 

'An excellent little book for teachers; it is indeed 
invaluable to any one who would know what man is, or 
how he may be made what he may be made. 5 

GOOD'S BOOK OF NATURE, abridged from the or- 
iginal work, adapted to the reading of children and 
youth ; with questions for the use of Schools, and 
illustrations from original designs.' 
' A valuable abridgement of an original work adapted 
to youth.' — Amer. Anns, of Education. 

6 This is no catch-penny affair, and we can confident- 
ly recommend it to Parents and Teachers. — Tracts and 
Family Lyceum. 

6 A very instructive work, the use of which in our 
schools, must be productive of benefit.' — New Hamp- 
shire Gazette. 

CAROLINE, OU L'EFFET D'UN MALHEUR, a 

Tale for young persons. By Madame Guizot. 

' Like other stories of Madame Guizot, it is beautiful- 
ly written, and may be read with pleasure not only by 
the young, for whom it was originally intended, but by 
persons of all ages ; and especially those to whom the 
immediate nurturing of the young is entrusted.' 

LAW'S SERIOUS CALL, revised and abridged by 

Rev. Howard Malcom, a. m 

No commendations of this work need be selected from 
individuals or reviews. It has long ranked with Kem- 
pis' Imitation of Christ, as one of the noblest productions 
of any uninspired pen. The present edition is freed from 
serious objections, which lie against the book, as hitherto 
published, on account of sentiments, which have al- 
ways been deemed of injurious tendency. The an- 
nouncement of this publication lias been hailed by reli- 
gious editors in all parts of the country, as peculiarly 
seasonable, now that the activities of Christians endan- 
ger their secret devotions and growth in grace. 






A 



L* BRIEF MEMOIR 

V. OF 

. . MRS. LYDIA M. MALCOM, 



%J LA.TE OF BOSTON. MASS. 

\^ WIFE OF 

\s* Rev. HOWARD MALCOM. 

w Not unto us, O Lord ! not unto us, hut unto, thy name 
give glory, for thy- mercy, and thy truth's sake." Psalm cxv. 1* 



^ 



FOURTH EDITION. 



<$ 



^ 

^ 



BOSTON. 

WILLIAM D. TICK NOR 

M DCCC XXXV, 



V * 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, 

By William D. Ticknor, 
In the Clerk's Office of the District of Massachusetts 



^^ /£ 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 031671 



PRINTED BY BEALS AND GREENE 



MEMO I R, 



Mrs. Malcom was the eldest daughter of 
Mr. Robert Shields, of Philadelphia, and 
eldest grand-daughter of Thomas Shields, 
Esq., who for more than fifty years, was dea- 
con of the first Baptist church in that city, and 
after the organization of the Triennial Con* 
vention, was Vice-President of its Board.* 
She was born July 17, 1797, and enjoyed the 
best advantages of education, which that city 
afforded. In her youth, she was remarkable 
for a love of natural scenery, a taste for read- 
ing, and a mind of uncommon vigor ; but 
chiefly for the ardor with which she engaged 
in the amusements and in the pleasures of a 
numerous gay acquaintance. At this period 
she kept no diary, and few of her letters are 
extant. 



* See an obituary notice in the American Baptist Ma- 
gazine for March, 1820; and in Vol II. of the Latter- 
Day Luminary, published at Philadelphia. 
1 



2 MEMOIR OF MRS. MAI.COM. 

In the year 1816, a small party was formed 
to spend a few weeks at the sea shore. Of 
this party, the young persons, who had never 
seen each other before, were Miss Shields, 
another young lady, and Mr. M , at that time 
a member of Dr. Staughton's church in Phila- 
delphia. The latter took frequent opportuni- 
ties of conversing with the two young ladies on 
the subject of religion. In a few days, it be- 
came apparent that these conversations had 
produced a deep effect on the mind of Miss S., 
while to the other, the subject seemed rather 
to become repulsive ; especially after the ar- 
rival of a friend, who, in a week or two, joined 
the party. Among other walks in the neigh- 
borhood, one led to a retired, private burial- 
ground. There, on a rude seat, almost daily 
conversations occurred between the new in- 
quirer, and her young spiritual adviser. Her 
mind seemed to embrace with avidity the glo- 
rious truths of revelation. Surprising as it may 
seem, they had never before been urged upon 
her, personally, by any christian friend. A 
diary, which she was now persuaded to com- 
mence, exhibits in the most ample manner the 
genuine feelings of evangelical conviction. 



MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. O 

The following extract from it shews her 
fondness for the contemplation of nature, and 
that, like too many others, she was prone to 
mistake it for religious feeling. 

" Esteem and affection form the basis of a 
friendship such as had never penetrated my 
heart until Howard taught me to love God. — ■ 
And that love is the cement which will ever 
hold it firm to him. I was always a passionate 
admirer of the beauties of nature, when on a 
visit to my grand-papa's at the age of fourteen, 
I thought myself supremely happy whilst climb- 
ing the mountain's rocky height, pausing to 
admire the beauties of the little wild flower, 
culling the fruit that hung in fragrant clusters 
amidst the thick arched trees, listening to the 
cheerful songs of the birds, welcoming the ap- 
pearance of the day, observing the dewy flow- 
ers glistening in the beams of the morning, 
and after having gained the summit of the 
mountain, the Delaware proudly rolling its 
waves and winding along the green banks, or 
dashing with a white foam and washing the 
base of the awfully frowning rocks — this to a 
mind light with joy, and totally unacquainted 
with sorrow, was enchanting. From viewing a 



4 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

scene magnificently sublime in mingled admi- 
ration and astonishment my young mind would 
ascend from nature's works to nature's God r 
and my childish imagination endeavor to pour- 
tray the supreme beauty of a God, whose power, 
wisdom and greatness is so unbounded, and is 
so strikingly displayed in his works. As the 
recollection of those much-loved scenes are 
reflected on my mind, it thrills with joy, and 
with pleasure I dwell on the kindness of a be- 
loved grand-papa and mama, who with fond- 
delight indulged my childish caprices, and with 
anxious watchful care, assisted in forming my 
mind and instilling into it the principles of vir- 
tue — All, all with sacred gratitude is remem- 
bered, and never until life ceases to animate 
my he^rt will it be forgotten, 

After having left school I was introduced te- 
scenes of fashionable gaiety, plunged in a vor- 
tex of pleasure, all was novel, of course pleas- 
ing, the winter was spent in dissipation, inex- 
perienced and unacquainted with the deceit of 
human nature I believed the heart of every one 
expressed in their countenance, if I received 
a smile I believed them my friends and thought 
it a sufficient claim to my esteem. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 5 

u After indulging deep and serious reflec- 
tion; caused by the display of God ; s glorious 
power in his works of creation, my mind would 
swell with adoration, but it was my friend who 
taught me to seek Him not ' in His works, 
though wonderous,' but 6 seek Him rather, 
where His mercy shines' — From my friend I 
learned the value of an immortal soul, and that 
only through the righteousness of a crucified 
Saviour I could ever hope for acceptance 
with God." 

On returning to the city, the acquaintance 
thus commenced was continued. Miss S. was 
gradually led to devotional meetings, introduced 
to serious persons, and persuaded t© read reli- 
gious books. Still, however, the influence of 
gay acquaintances, and the force of early habit, 
often led her into her early extravagancies, and 
made it obvious, that notwithstanding all her 
convictions of sin, and strenuous resolutions, 
her heart was not right with God. Her friend, 
however, continued his occasional visits, and, 
amid many and long discouragements, kept her 
attention directed to the considerations of eter- 
nity. Gradually, but obviously, she became in 
the next six or eight months more serious, as 
1* 



8 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

well as more enlightened. Her diary proved 
an important auxiliary to the growth of religi- 
ous principle. Beside this, an acquaintance 
with an eminently religious female friend, now 
ripened into an ardent friendship, which exert- 
ed the happiest influence on her heart and 
character. She thus writes in a letter about 
that time: " Serious reflection has for the last 
week engrossed my mind. I am reading Cole's 
work* with a tranquil and divine pleasure, 
never before experienced by me in the perusal 
of works of a religious nature. Unto my Hea- 
venly Father I present my most fervent acknow- 
ledgments for so disposing my mind, that those 
things which were once my aversion are now 
my desire; and for what once constituted my 
sole felicity, I now entertain the utmost disgust. 
The allurements of fashionable pleasure I de- 
termine to relinquish, that my mind may not 
be abstracted, and my affections alienated from 
God, their only proper object." 

Some months afterwards, she was in the 
country, and heard a sermon by an episcopal 
minister, which aided her not a little. In her 

* On Divine Sovereignty. A most excellent work, 
well deserving to be reprinted with retrenchments. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 7 

diary, she says. " Heard the Rev, Mr. Boyd. 
The text was Luke x. 27. * Thou shalt love 
the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with 
all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with 
all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.' I 
thought how awful was my condition ; com- 
manded to love him with a fervent, ardent love, 
and yet I do not. I was greatly affected, and 
wept for my sinfulness. From the window of 
the church, I had a view of the grave-yard : 
many bodies, thought I, that are now lying in 
the cold, silent earth, once sat in this church, 
perhaps in the very seat that I now occupy, 
have listened to the sound of the gospel, have 
thought, have felt as I do. Where now are 
their souls ? Many that perhaps have never 
made their peace with God. Awful idea ! The 
graves remind me where my mortal course must 
certainly end. The scene had a great effect 
on my mind. There was not the least noise or 
sound; the very wind seemed hushed; not a 
leaf was agitated ; a solemn conviction of sin- 
fulness was diffused throughout my mind. I 
wept, and mentally prayed for that love 
which God commanded — -'twas all I could do. 
Presently, the preacher said, ' those who have 



8 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOMc 

never felt a rapturous ardent love, be not dis* 
mayed ! persevere, for love is, where rapture 
never dwelt.' The words sounded on my ear 
like a voice speaking from heaven. What en- 
couragement ! And will a great God accept 
of this cold love ? Yet he sees my heart, and 
knows that I wish it to be more his own. He 
said there had not been wanting instances of 
those who had mistaken the workings of a 
warm imagination upon a sensible and feeling 
heart, for the influence of divine grace ; and 
when this had worn off, had been left in dark- 
ness and doubt ; while those who had not felt 
such rapturous love at first, had gone on shin- 
ing brighter and brighter until the perfect day. 
Then, even I, may still have more love! It is 
not the fear of death or hell that makes me 
seek him as the only refuge ; it is for himself 
alone that I wish to love. I must regret that 
when I leave church, and other objects present 
themselves to my view, my solemn frames of 
mind continue so short a time. I remain se- 
rious, but that deep, feeling impression seems 
in a great measure to wear off." 

A year rolled on before her mind became es- 
tablished in the Lord. Her letters and diary 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. \) 

of that period show the alternate prevalence of 
good and evil, hope and fear, improvement and 
decay. But her opening discoveries of the na- 
ture and efficacy of the atonement, and her en- 
tire dependence on Christ for salvation, ulti- 
mately gave consistency to her faith, and she 
became stedfast, abounding in the work of 
the Lord. 

About two years from the time of her 
first religious impressions, namely, July 5th ? 
1818, she was baptized by Dr. Staughton, 
and became a member of Sansom St. Church, 
Philadelphia. 

At the request of a friend, she wrote the fol- 
lowing summary of her experience, as it had 
been delivered before the church, and her an- 
swers to the questions of the pastor. 

" Two years have elapsed since my soul was 
awakened to a sense of its situation, and, dur- 
ing that time, its exercises have been so various, 
as to render me incapable of minutely relating 
them. This I can truly say, that whereas I 
was blind, I now see ; whereas I was deaf, I 
row hear ; and the things that formerly con- 
stituted my greatest delight, my soul now re- 
jects with abhorrence. The conversations of a 



10 MEMOIR OF MRS, MALCOM. 

pious friend induced me to seek a God, of whom 
I previously had but a very faint idea. When 
I take a retrospect, I am astonished that I could 
have permitted myself to be the despicable vic- 
tim of infatuation, that I could ever have in- 
dulged in the ardent pursuit of pleasure, and 
permit the solemn duties my Creator has en- 
joined, to remain unattempted. I was living in 
utter negligence of the warnings which, sab- 
bath after sabbath, I have received. 

" I became convinced that it was impossible 
for me to love God and mammon ; and found 
it impossible to pursue pleasures so congenial 
with my inclinations, and enjoy communion 
with God. Yet such was the imbecility of my 
reason, that I could not bring myself to relin- 
quish the amusements I had been accustomed 
to participate in. I desired to possess Christ, 
but it was very repugnant to my inclinations to 
bear the cross. I vainly persuaded myself that 
it would do very well to defer a serious prepa- 
ration for eternity until a more convenient sea- 
son. But the conflict is now over. Jesus has 
effected all for me. The pleasures I once so 
fondly loved, are now divested of the charm 
that fascinated me, for Jesus is not there ; 



MEMOIR OF MRS, MALCOM. II 

and I have sweetly realized that a day or an 
hour spent with Him, is infinitely superior to 
many devoted to the pursuit of amusements that 
disguise the shaft of death, and allure us to 
destruction. 

" Astonishment fills my mind when I reflect 
how long I vacillated in my opinion, which 
was preferable, — Christ or his cross, or earth 
and its joys ; and how long I rejected the Sa- 
viour's proffered love, and indulged in the lat- 
ter. If, instead of displaying to me the beauty 
of his ways, the glory of his character, and the 
fulness of his love, he had exercised against me 
his indignation, it would have beenjast. 

A sermon I heard from Mr. Boyd, at Oxford, 
made an indelible impression on my mind. It 
was from the words — ' Thou shalt love the 
Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy 
soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy 
strength, and thy neighbor as thyself.' A so- 
lemn conviction of sin was diffused through 
my soul, and I wept because its affections were 
so languid. I looked at the graves round about 
the place : they, in solemn, silent eloquence, 
conveyed to my mind, that unless I had the 



12 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

Lord Jesus for my friend, my soul must be in- 
volved in eternal ruin. 

" The doctrine of election much perplexed and 
exercised my mind. I read several works treat- 
ing of this doctrine, but none were effectual in 
divesting my mind of its prejudice ; and such 
an unhappy frame was excited, that devotional 
feelings were for a time almost suspended. I 
could not conceive how it could comport with 
Divine justice, to love some with an everlasting 
love, and doom others to perpetual misery." 

Dr. S. How did your mind find relief in 
this case ? 

Ans. From solemn meditation and prayer. 
I considered that it is impossible for God to be 
unjust, and as impossible for a finite creature to 
comprehend the councils of Divine wisdom. I 
was induced to desist from endeavoring to pen- 
etrate that which an omniscient God has 
thought proper to envelope in mystery. He 
has perspicuously delineated my duty in his 
sacred word ; and I am determined, with his 
assistance, to attend, conform to, and be grate- 
ful for, that which he has been graciously 
pleased to reveal. 

Dr. S. On what do you depend for 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM, 13 

salvation ? Do you think that you possess 
any merit ? 

Arts, Totally destitute I am. Christ and 
him crucified, is my only ground of hope for 
salvation. 

Dr. S. Do you love the people of God ? 

Am. I used to think that Christians were 
a gloomy, unhappy, enthusiastic set of people. 
I was averse to being in their company, and 
disliked their conversation. Now, I entertain 
a very different opinion. I think it is the 
Christian only, who truly enjoys the world. 
The love of Christ imparts such refinement, 
and fills the soul with such aspiring hope, that 
they are elevated above the anxieties and vicis- 
situdes to which temporal things are subject. 
The consciousness that they are but pilgrims 
and sojourners here, and citizens of an eternal 
world, induces them to assume the armor of 
righteousness and shield of faith, that they 
may be prepared for every conflict that can 
possibly be encountered in this terrestrial scene. 
And I love them because they love God." 

She thus describes, in a letter to Miss B. 
who had lately become pious, her emotions on 
the solemn occasion of her baptism, After 



14 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM* 

stating her previous fears of being intimidated, 
she says, " When the hour arrived, I experi- 
enced no such emotions. My soul was devoid 
of rapturous feeling, but serene joy pervaded 
every faculty, and every feeling vibrated with 
celestial love. I exulted, when I stood up with 
the Dr. during a portion of his address, in thus 
publicly professing myself a candidate for an 
eternal world, a child of God, a follower of the 
blessed Jesus. My happiness was consum- 
mate, and I panted to tell those who were pre- 
sent what a precious Saviour I have found, and 
most ardently I desired again to relate to them 
what Jesus has done for my soul, and to per- 
suade precious immortal souls who do not love 
God, no longer to pursue the fleeting shadowy 
pleasures of time, while immortal substance 
awaits them. I regretted that it was not cus- 
tomary for candidates on baptismal occasions 
to speak to the audience. I would have told 
them that I was once the infatuated votary of 
pleasure, and immersed in amusements that 
abstract the affections from God ; that it was 
his power alone that defended me from the 
shaft of death, which they conceal, and rescued 
me from the gulf of destruction, to which they 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 15 

allure; and that I would not exchange the hap- 
piness I derive from the promises of the sa- 
cred oracles, for all that human power can 
afford me without Christ. Truly the ways of 
religion are pleasantness, and her paths peace. 
The soul that has once enjoyed them, acknow- 
ledges that they present the highest happiness 
that a rational creature can desire. 

" My dear friend, why do you delay to come 
before the world, and profess the name of the 
Holy Jesus? Do you wait for greater sanctifi- 
c at ion ? 

' If you tarry till you're better, 

You will never come at all. 

Let not conscience make you linger, 

Nor of fitness fondly dream ; 

All the fitness he requireth, 

7s to feel your need of him. 

This he gives you ! 
'Tis the Spirit's rising- beam.' 

" Will you not, my dear friend, come for- 
ward and profess yourself a soldier of the cross? 
There never will arrive a time better adapted 
than the present. It is the penitent, contrite 
heart, conscious of its own deficiencies, that 
the Lord demands. Oh, that the vigor of our 



16 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

youth may not elapse without being devoted to 
the service of Immanuel. That he may take 
our hearts into his hand, and mould them ac- 
cording to his will, that we may be enabled to 
perform that which comports with his interest 
and glory, is the prayer of 

Your affectionate friend, 

Lydia M. Shields." 

The emotions at her first participation of the 
Lord's supper, as described in her diary, were 
not joyous but aspiring. Usefulness absorbed 
her desires, and the burden of her prayers was 
to " implore the omnipotent Spirit of God to 
impart strength, that I may work while it is 
day." At her second communion season, her 
experience was more pleasurable. Under that 
date she says, " My second communion season 
approaching, I devoted the week prior, to read- 
ing ' the Communicant's Spiritual Companion.' 
The attentive perusal of it, united with prayer 
and meditation, had a most happy effect in 
preparing my mind for that solemn ordinance. 
My soul was dissolved in mingled love and gra- 
titude. My tears flowed with very little inter- 
mission, and relieved my surcharged heart. I 
felt sensible that sin was intimately commingled 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 17 

with my nature ; but saw before me that solemn 
ordinance which appeared as ' a rainbow 7 set 
in the clouds,' to indicate that I shall not be 
swept away by the wrath of God. In the lan- 
guage of scripture, I could say, ' He brought 
me into his banqueting house, and his banner 
over me was love.' The most perfect bliss 
that can be experienced in this terrestrial scene, 
sinners are deprived of, by being estranged 
from God, O Lord ! thou hast snatched me 
as a brand from the burning, for which I de- 
sire to present to Thee the oblation of love and 
gratitude. Extend thy pity to the victims of 
delusion; displace the bandage from their eyes ; 
may thy holy Spirit induce them to seek and 
love holiness, that they may be saved. My 
heart throbbed with joy, when, after the cele- 
bration of our Lord's supper, the names of 
twelve candidates were propounded. I rejoice 
that so many are coming out to enlist under the 
banner of the Lord. O Lord, may thy churches 
flourish as a well-watered garden ; may they 
be clothed with zeal as with a cloak, and con- 
verge nearer and nearer each other in the bonds 
of affection, as they approximate to Thee, their 
common object. 
2* 



18 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

" Aug. 16, 1818. For several weeks, such 
radiance of celestial joy has possessed my soul, 
as I could scarce believe could be experienced, 
while dwelling in this tenement of clay. 1 
made the inquiry, What can it portend ? Does 
God design soon to take me to himself, and js 
this giving me the foretaste of the joys of hea- 
ven ? I felt that if it was his will to sound my 
retreat, I should go exulting, possessed of the 
blissful assurance of a blessed immortality, " 

The following is extracted from a letter writ- 
ten about the same time. 

" God has given me such enrapturing views 
of his countenance, that I could never have 
believed it possible, had I not experienced it, 
that the human soul was susceptible of such 
sublime emotions. When, for the second time, 
I partook of the Lord's supper, my Father's 
face was astonishingly revealed to my soul. 
Celestial love predominated, while every facul- 
ty conspired to present the offering of gratitude 
to my heavenly Mediator. I renew my oath 
of allegiance to the Captain of my salvation. I 
exult that the Lord God omnipotent rcigneth; 
for by His power and atoning blood, when this 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 19 

tabernacle of clay is dissolved, I shall be in- 
vested with the immaculate robe of righteous- 
ness. I employ all opportunities, when I 
can without giving umbrage to the feelings, to 
tell others of the importance, excellence and 
beauty of the religion we have professed, de- 
siring that they will determine, and not rest 
until they realize the blessing ; but alas ! the 
indifference that is manifested, chills the glow 
that dilated my heart but a few minutes previ- 
ously. I will persist, and endeavor to displace 
the bandage of delusion that obscures the sight 
of my poor fellow immortals. Even the laugh of 
derision, shall not deter me ; for was not Jesus 
derided by a multitude ? Dear H., let us aim 
at being (as Edwards has beautifully expressed 
it,) c little suns;' the symbols of that, whose 
light we have received, that we may enlighten 
the path of those who grope in darkness. What 
should intimidate us, when our Father smiles ? 
We will not live '•' without God in the world.' 
Nothing less than his presence and smile can 
appease the desires of my soul. I avail my- 
self of the language of my favorite author, be- 
cause it so perfectly breaths my own feelings, 



)20 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

* As the chased hart, amid the desert waste, 
Pants for the living stream — for Him who made him, 
So pants my thirsty soul, amidst the waste 
Of sublunary joys. 5 " 

Speaking of some severe domestic afflictions, 
she says in a letter of March, 1818, — 

" Sometimes the swell of anguish bursts the 
restraint imposed upon it, and vents itself in 
tears. But it is soon succeeded by sweet re- 
signation, and consolation derived from the 
recollection that Almighty God guides the helm 
of the universe. If I but contribute my part, 
and improve His providences, all will eventu- 
ally be for my happiness. That ray of promise 
1 1 will never leave you nor forsake you/ has 
consoled the humble believer in the gloom of 
primitive ages; and now bursts on my enrap- 
tured mental vision, darting through incumbent 
afflictions, and cheers my cold passage to the 
tomb. I know that I shall sustain no moral 
change in the grave. How blind to my own 
interest, then, if I desired my eternal Friend to 
withhold those chastisements, which produce 
an exceeding increase of glory. A sentiment 
of the pious Mr. Coles is worth remembering 
— ' Think not your portion mean, or hardly 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 21 

dealt out, — your good things are to come — they 
are growing in the other world, and, at the time 
of harvest, He will send his angels for you ; 
yea the Lord himself will come, and fetch you 
thither, and you shall be forever with him in 
whose presence is fullness of joy, and at whose 
right hand are rivers of pleasure forevermore.' 
We will remember, love, that we shall not long 
be subject to the storms that sweep this earth. 
One unbounded spring will soon encircle us. 
In all our conflicts with internal and external 
foes, we will unite in prayer to our Parent, who 
is ever watching over our good, that we may 
be more Assimilated to the lowly Jesus, that we 
shall exhibit such Christian excellencies as wili 
enable us to appear in the orient realms of bea- 
tific vision, to wake the song of the angelic 
choir, — ' These are they who have come out 
of much tribulation, and have washed their 
robes, and made them white in the blood of 
the Lamb.' " 

Like most other Christians, especially in the 
early stages of their career, her frames were 
often dark. 

" Saturday, Sept. 19. Alas ! how greatly 
has the exhilerating influence of the Sun of 



22 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

Righteousness been diminished in my soul ! 
How subiilly does Satan inject his darts into my 
heart, and cause this cloud to arise and obscure 
the loveliness of my Saviour's face ! Self in- 
vestigation reveals to me so much of deformity, 
that I am averse to engage in it so frequently 
as I know is my duty. Now I experience the 
unhappy effect of negligence in watchfulness 
over my soul. I remember my accustomed 
hours of devotion ; but it is only a sense of 
duty that impels me to the throne of grace. My 
soul is like the dove that could find no resting- 
place. So, Lord, would my soul flee to Thee ; 
but it cleaveth unto the dust. When I would 
come to Thee by prayer, my soul is not com- 
forted, for the heaven appears as brass, and 
its gates like bars of iron. O God, let my 
voice reach the heavens, and cause a spark 
from thy altar to influence my soul with love." 
Under a subsequent date, she says, " After- 
noon. The Dr. was on the sufferings of our 
crucified Lord. My cold heart refused its 
sensibility, while contemplating the sacrifice 
for sin. During the ordinance, I found my 
thoughts frequently wandering from the love I 
was externally commemorating. 1 could but 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 23 

offer myself to Jesus, as one of his most un- 
grateful servants. I felt my unworthiness of 
the privileges of a child of God ; but my soul 
clung to Jesus, as its only hope." 

The manner of her relief, shows how wrong 
it is for persons in a dark frame, to neglect the 
ordinances of God. 

{< Sunday, May 9, Attended Sunday school 
and Divine worship during the day. My heart 
was cold under the sound of the gospel, and I 
fear not much benefited by the services of the 
sanctuary. I dined at grand-papa's ; and feel- 
ing much dissatisfied with myself on account 
of the insensibility of my heart, took advantage 
of an opportunity of retiring before I attended 
Sunday school, and presented the cause of my 
dissatisfaction to my God, and prayed him to 
remove the obduracy of my heart, to give me 
correct views of myself ; and I besought him to 
show me the preciousness of a Saviour's blood 
in restoring me to the enjoyment of his Spirit. 

" At the display of the symbols that commem- 
orate my Saviour's death, my soul lost much of 
its languor. The privilege I was about to par- 
ticipate in seemed so great ; and I felt myself 
so undeserving of it, that I almost feared I was 



24 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM, 

deceiving myself with false views. I retraced 
my whole experience, and was astonished at 
the folly that has attended the whole course. 
But I praved to the Lord, to show me myself; 
and, in proportion as I felt my unworthiness, I 
felt the preciousness of a Saviour's blood ; and 
my faith in that was so strong, that again I 
feared I was deceiving myself. Lord, thou 
knowest that I do not wish this apathy of soul 
to continue. Thou knowest that I desire to 
love thee more and serve thee better. I will 
obey the precious invitation, and receive the 
rest thou hast promised, when thou didst say, 
' Come unto me, all ye that labor and are 
heavy laden, and I will give you rest/ 

" Before I departed from the sanctuary I felt 
my soul full of joy, and rejoiced exceedingly in 
the God of my salvation. I did not forget, at 
this sweet season, to pray for my poor family, 
and for H. In an extacy of joyous feeling, 
I united in singing the beautiful hymn begin- 
ning with ' Jesus, lover of my soul.' I left the 
house of the Lord full of desire and energy to 
be more zealous in the service of my Redeem- 
er, and prayed him to enable me to lead poor 
wnndering souls to him." 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 25 

" Monday, May 10. Arose in a sweetly 
devotional frame of mind. The duties of the 
day were performed with cheerfulness, and 
were sweetened by the remembrance of the 
happy Sabbath I passed yesterday." 

From this time, her religious character ac- 
quired more and more strength and consistency. 
Her religious enjoyments also, continued to in- 
crease, and several of her letters to undecided 
inquirers, dwell on the pleasure and advantage 
of an open profession. 

She entered with zeal into divers benevolent 
operations. Though her health had always 
been feeble, she visited and relieved the poor, 
became a manager of the Philadelphia Female 
Bible Society, and of the Baptist Female Edu- 
cation Society, and superintendent of a Sab- 
bath school for colored Female Children. Her 
anxiety for the conversion of others, displayed 
itself in every letter to her friends. To her 
parents and other relations, she wrote pointedly 
and solemnly. The following are specimens 
out of hundreds which might be inserted. 

White Hall, N. J. Sept. 1818. 

" My dear brother, 

Mama desired me to write to you by her; 
3 



26 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

but I declined, because I have relinquished all 
epistolary correspondence that has not religion 
for the subject. I thought you would give my 
etter a careless reading, and not reflect on the 
contents. But how weak and how sinful was 
I ! Was my trust in God ? Surely a letter writ- 
ten by a sister whose heart pants for the salva- 
tion of your immortal soul, will not be read 
with indifference. 

On the most important of all concerns, I now 
address you. In the name of that Holy God 
who has brought me from darkness unto light, 
[ entreat your solemn attention and perform- 
ance. Oh ! let it not be that I must meet you 
at the judgment bar, to testify that I have warn- 
ed you of wrath to come, and you have not 
heeded it. Perhaps you think the life of a 
Christian is a life of restraint and self-denial. 
It is such self-denial as ennobles our nature 
and promotes our happiness. We must refrain 
ftom sin, because it offends God. Sin is more 
congenial to the inclinations of the natural 
mind, than holiness; and the combats of the 
believer, with the evil propensities of his own 
soul, form what is termed the Christian war- 
fare. Sin must be exterminated, before holiness 



MEMOIR OF MRS* MALCOM. 27 

can flourish. God has said that his paths are 
pleasantness and peace. I have been an ardent 
votary of what the world calls pleasure ; but I 
solemnly declare that I never knew pleasure, 
until I knew God. Perhaps you think you can- 
not endure the laugh of your associates. Do 
you prefer pleasing them, to pleasing God ? Do 
you think, when your poor naked soul appears 
before its Maker to receive its final sentence, 
that your acquaintances can afford you any re- 
lief, however trifling, from the denunciation— 
' Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity ; I 
know you not.' Now resolve on heaven or hell. 
If the lovers of the world despise you, Jesus has 
declared, ' They hated me, before they hated 
you. 5 The followers of Jesus cannot hope to 
be caressed by the world, when He was cruci- 
fied. The greatest portion of my letter has 
been written with tears in my eyes. Into the 
hands of God, I commend you, that He may 
incline your soul to the prayer of 
Your affectionate sister, 

Lydia M. Shields." 

White Hall, N. J. Sept. 13, 1818. 
(( My dear Father, 

My heart throbbed with joy when I read the 



28 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

expression that you hoped my letter would 
prove profitable. That desire is the rising 
beam of the Spirit. Oh cherish it, and let not 
the prayers of your child ascend to the throne 
of Mercy for her parent's salvation, unaccom- 
panied by your own. I cannot resist entreat- 
ing you to seek after that kingdom which en- 
dureth forever. When the ' trumpet shall 
sound and the dead shall be raised,' how should 
I shudder to meet you before the Great Judge, 
if I had never persuaded you to flee his wrath, 
and ' wash your robes in the blood of the 
Lamb?' If I act in opposition to the command 
* let your light shine before men,' if I hide 
mine * under a bushel' I am none of God's, 
and cannot hope to realize His promises. This 
incipient state of things, is designed for a life 
of probation, and on the manner in which we 
decide here, depends our eternal state. We 
must live as becomes candidates for an inherit- 
ance in the kingdom of God, or abide by the 
opposite alternative, and be involved in the gulf 
that rolls with fire and brimstone forever. The 
natural mind adduces such arguments as; that 
we need not endeavor to obtain piety — all efforts 
must prove abortive, for unless God pleases we 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM, 29 

cannot be saved. True, we cannot be saved 
without God, ' for we are all as an unclean 
thing, and our righteousness is as filthy rags/ 
but the merits of Jesus are all-sufficient. He 
says, € Him that cometh unto me I will in no 
wise cast out.' We must trust in the Lord who 
is all-sufficient ; and who will be e enquired of 
by us/ We may possess the desire to walk, 
but cannot effect it without we exert the means 
God has endowed us with. Let me request 
you to read the llth Chapter of Luke. It is 
replete with encouragements to engage and 
persist in prayer. A secret unbelief will en- 
twine itself with the natural mind ; it will ac- 
cept and conform to so mucn only as is con- 
genial to the inclinations ; but we dare not ac- 
cept of a portion and reject the rest. Because 
we are not sufficiently advanced in grace and 
the knowledge of Christ to enable us to under- 
stand the sublime truths of revelation, we are 
not therefore to doubt that which is superior to 
an obscured reason, and say it is unreasonable, 
The natural man does not contrast his soul 
guilty and polluted with sin, with the holy cha- 
racter of Jesus. He is content with the spuri- 
ous gem of self-righteousness, and casting 
3* 



30 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

away the pearl of price, treasures up to himself 
that wrath which endureth forever. The na- 
tural person thinks that because he does not 
commit flagrant sins, he is safe. We display 
the enmity of our souls towards God, in that 
we have not His glory in view and do not 
thirst after holiness. What avails it, t if we 
gain the whole world and lose our own souls,' 
Earth can afford us no permanent joy ; why 
then should we be so sedulous in the pursuit of 
its objects. Our best pleasures are alloyed, 
and it is a truth not now to be learned, that in 
a greater or less degree, we are all heirs of 
affliction, what shall support us in this vale 
of tears if we possess not the soul-elevating 
pleasures of religion. This will enable us to 
look forward with joyous expectation when we 
shall be emancipated from the tenement of 
clay, and in all the rapture of the ransomed, 
rejoice that though the sun shall sink into eter- 
nal darkness, and the moon and stars shall 
fade, yet our joy is consummate because our 
names are % found written in the book of life,' 
and we shall reign with Him forever and for- 
ever. 

"That ours may be the happy lot, after wc 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 31 

have passed the confines of the grave, to enter 
the heavenly Canaan to dwell with God in 
glory, is the solemn prayer of 

Your affectionate daughter, 

Lydia M. Shields." 

Her department at Sunday school was form- 
ed wholly through her instrumentality. Having 
been appointed to the small class of negroes, 
she so assiduously sought out scholars from the 
lanes and alleys that her number grew to seve- 
ral classes ; amounting at length to more than 
a hundred. For this part of our population 
she always felt deeply. The following is an 
extract from her diary, after conversing with a 
pious black man : 

" Oh God ! how long shall this poor injured 
people endure their sufferings? Wilt thou not 
excite some of thy people to redress their in- 
juries ? The day shall soon arrive, when, at 
the awful bar of retribution, the sons of Ethio- 
pia will be avenged. Let the despicable world- 
ling say, that negroes are species of be- 
ings, devoid of gratitude, and not capable of 
receiving improvement. I do not believe it, 
and abhor those whom I have heard assert such 



22 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM', 

an opinion. I believe that tbey possess intel* 
lectual energy, and that it requires but the ge- 
nial breath of liberty to cause it to evolve. 
Can the lash and the (I had almost said ac- 
cursed) hardships to which they are inured, 
elicit their nobler faculties of mind ? Color 
does not affect the soul ; and if they seldom 
develope superior powers, it is because they 
are obscured by their situation. The poor 
negro I this morning conversed with, exhibits 
a proof that African souls may display graces 
that would adorn the soul of any Christian, 
"When he conversed of Jesus with so much 
humility, how deformed did my soul appear to 
me, so destitute of that meekness which is the 
Christian's greatest ornament ! Oh, how dis- 
similar to ihe dear Redeemer am I ! Holy 
Spirit, I implore Thee to teach me : transform 
this impatient, irritable disposition of mine to 
the meek and heavenly disposition exhibited 
by the Redeemer. Oh my God, a short time 
past I thought thou intendedst soon to take me 
to thyself; but now thou art manifesting thy will 
that I should not yet be emancipated from this 
little gloomy cell, Let me then live to thy 
service, and not as a cumberer of the ground ; 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 33 

and give me strength adapted for every conflict 
in life. O my Father, when shall I be with 
Thee 1 Oh, ye lingering days ! haste on, and 
bring my soul to rest. 

* Make haste, my days, and reach the gaol 
That brings my heart to rest 
On the dear centre of my soul, 
My God, my Saviour's breast.' 

About this time, the friendship which had 
hitherto existed without the remotest expecta- 
tion of any thing more, seemed to ripen into a 
higher attachment. Since her mind had been 
decidedly religious, it had developed new at- 
tractions, and that reciprocity of feelings and 
aims which was naturally created by the change, 
gave anew aspect to intercourse. The cha- 
racter of the attachment she now allowed her- 
self to cherish, was decidedly spiritual. Her 
letters all breathe a pure and celestial regard, 
recognizing supreme duty to God. To Mr. M., 
absent on a journey, she writes — 

" How can I sorrow for your absence, when 
love for God is paramount. In loving you, I 
look through the creature to the Creator. He 
is the ultimate source of all my joy. Why 



34 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

should we drink only of the stream, when we 
can have access to the fountain. In loving 
you, I love God ; in loving God, I love the 
emanation of his Spirit which I discern in 
you. My soul pants to be actively engaged 
for the Lord; but alas ! when I reflect that my 
performances do not approximate to the amount 
of the talent I have received, much less present 
an equivalent, the painful tear gushes, and I 
implore the Giver of all gifts to grant that which 
alone can render life desirable. How sedulous 
should we be in pursuing things that have an 
immortal aim, when we consider that our best 
performances are compounded with sin, and ? 
if weighed in the scales of the sanctuary, the 
balance would be against us. May love for 
Jesus ever be the potent incentive to our ac- 
tions. May self be discarded, and His interest 
ever prompt us. Not any thing but this will 
prove efficacious in elevating our affections 
above the grovelling pursuits of earth, or fit us 
for the heavenly Canaan, by divesting us of the 
assimilation our natures have acquired to the 
transient objects of time. How exquisitely de- 
lightful it is, love, whilst passing through the 
wilderness of life, to have such near and is- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 6b 

\ igorating approaches to the ' font of bliss, 5 to 
enjoy so much of the ' sunshine of the Deity. 5 
Those gifts which we have freely received, 
may it ever be our prevailing desire to exercise 
towards others, that they may be influenced 
and benefited. I think, love, that I never in 
my life enjoyed so much supreme felicity as 
since I have been united to the church mili- 
tant. My affections expand with fervor to- 
wards others, and I would fain, were it in my 
power, force them to come in and enjoy the 
pleasures of the enclosed garden," 

Wo the same, 

Philadelphia, January, 1819. 
*' With deep interest I direct my feeble efforts 
towards the advancement of our Theological 
Institution, as the place from whence great 
usefulness will emanate. The object the stu- 
dents at present have in view, is to make as 
rapid progress as possible, for brother Chase 
expects in the spring, students who have grad- 
uated at colleges. My trust is in the Lord, 
for the support of our Institution. I know that 
He is sufficient to open channels that shall af- 
ford supplies commensurate with the vastness 



36 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

of the object. Inauspicious appearances are 
not always the precursors of undesirable ter- 
minations. Christ's work has ever been sub- 
ject to obstructions. These very difficulties 
should incite his followers to more vigorous ex- 
ertion, and considering ourselves his agents, 
every power of the soul should be strained in 
his service. An opinion Dr. S. asserted in the 
pulpit, I think possesses much correctness. 
" That every scheme meets with opposition in 
proportion to the mass of good it embraces.'' 

" My health is so much amended, that I an- 
ticipate being engaged the ensuing winter, in 
such pursuits as shall have the Lord's service 
for their object, for I desire that the " little 
wick of life's poor shallow lamp" may be con- 
sumed in the service of Him from whom it 
was derived. The debility, that so greatly un- 
dermined my health, and from which I w r as 
totally exempt for several weeks, again threat- 
ens to return. I have experienced several 
transient attacks, and regard them as the sweet 
voice of God, enjoining me to watch and be 
ready. 

" My affection for you, has undergone no 
diminution. Towards the close of my letter I 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 37 

have been striving to say something very pretty 
and affectionate, but all my inclination and 
striving is inutile, for I can find nothing to say ; 
but discover that my affection is of a peculiar 
species, and cannot effuse itself in words, 
though my lips exhale it. Like other precious 
gems, it is deeply embedded ; and as what we 
acquire with toil, is most highly prized, you 
must be contented to be a cheerful miner, 
and believe that there is an inexhaustible vein. 
And for the sake of possessing a solace for your 
feelings, carefully cherish as a truth, that, that 
affection that lays on the surface of other fe- 
male minds, and glistens in almost every word 
and action, is but dross compared with the 
affection of your Lydia. 

" May the Lord keep us, and preserve us 
to serve him with affection and zeal — -and to 
make His interests our dearest interests." 

To the same. 

Philadelphia, March 19th, 1819. 

"When I survey the theatre upon which 

we have been performing, and remember that 

several have been summoned to the eternal 

world, who afforded the happiest presages of 

4 



88 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOrvf. 

being conspicuous characters in Immanuers 
cause, I feel in truth, that life is but as a 
transient cloud, a ' flower that withereth;' and 
the importance of living nearer to God and 
more to his glory, solemnly presses itself upon 
my mind. In a few days, you and I shall go 
the way of all flesh, and what will the smiles 
or the frowns of mankind concern us, when 
introduced into the presence of God ? In the 
decisive day, what a support would our souls 
receive from the consciousness, that in all our 
actions, a conformity to the divine will, was our 
object. Shall we not eventually mingle with 
those holy ranks to which we are most assimi- 
lated ? Then let us humbly endeavor, relying 
on Divine strength, to brighten our crowns, 
while life is extended. May we obey the coun- 
cil of wisdom, and so number our days, that, 
in the expiring conflict, we shall not be con- 
strained to lament having left undone the duties 
which should have been performed. It is more 
easy to form theories for our conduct, than to 
reduce them to practice. But, utterly disclaim- 
ing all reliance on human strength, my hope 
clings to a Divine power. Paul said, that though 
of himself he could do nothing, yet. ' in Christ 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 39 

I can do all things.' May we realize, that 
through faith even mountains remove before us. 
Pray for me, that I may not forget the purpose 
for which my existence is bestowed. How re- 
quisite is it, for us to adopt unremittedly in our 
practice, the admonition of my favorite author, 
to his Lorenzo, introduced by the inquiry — • 

* Dost thou wrap thy soul 
In soft serenity, because unknown 
Which moment is commissioned to destroy I 

In death's uncertainty the danger lies. 

Is death uncertain ? Therefore be thou fixed, 

Fixed as a sentinel — all eye, all ear, 

All expectation of the coming foe. 

Rouse, stand in arms, nor lean against thy spear, 

Lest slumber steal one moment o'er thy soul, 

And fate surprise thee nodding — Watch, be strong. 

Thus give each day, the merit and renown, 

Of dying well, tho* doomed but once to die* 9 

To the same. 

Philadelphia, April 27th, 1819. 

** I most affectionately thank you love, for 

the style in which your last letter to your 

mother, which she kindly shewed me, was 

ivritten. Your effort to advance your mother 



40 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

in the Christian path, was more grateful to my 
heart, than if I had received a letter replete 
with the most impassioned effusions of affec- 
tion. What pleasure admits of comparison 
with that which results from the endeavor to 
rescue souls from the gate of eternal death ? 
I rejoice that you are devoting a portion of 
your efforts to negroes. You know the inter- 
est I feel for this class of society. I shall ever, 
dear EL, unite with you my feeble efforts, with 
pleasure and alacrity, for the amelioration of 
the unfortunate, curse-enduring descendants 
of Ham. The mass of ignorance and vice 
incumbent on this portion of our fellow crea- 
tures, can only be removed by the power of 
God, in making effectual the religion of Jesus. 
Sunday schools, like fountains of light, are 
becoming dispersed through society, and are 
shedding their mild irradiations of light to dis- 
sipate the gloom which has heretofore obscured 
the African intellect. The Lord sweetly en- 
courages me to continue my efforts for my 
class. Several manifest great solemnity, when 
I converse with them on religion ; and one 
poor girl, who never previously prayed, says 
she now observes this important duty. With 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 41 

a glow of delight, I remember and determine, 
that as 

* Ethiopia's sons, Ethiopia's daughters s 
Are welcomed to drink evangelical waters, 
Since the mandate divine bids the fettered be free, 
Pll point the poor African, Saviour! to thee. 9 

" Last Sunday I commenced discharging the 
duties of manager for our African sabbath 
school. We have removed it to a fine room 
in College avenue, 

" You request me to peruse the letters of sev- 
eral celebrated characters, and to compare and 
improve my style by their's. My letters can- 
not boast the vivacity and lustre reflected from 
Lady Montague's imagination ; I did not con- 
sider that of sufficient importance to make a 
subject of prayer. But if my memory serves 
me, I have not written one letter since I plight- 
ed my vow to Jesus, by descending into the 
baptismal font, which I have not requested 
might be imbued with religious sentiment, and 
prove profitable. If they have not been so to 
those for whom they were designed, they have 
to myself. 1 have experienced my views of 
4* 



42 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM, 

duty strengthened, and my purposes of acting 
confirmed. 

" I am pleased that you are pursuing a 
portion of your studies in French. Wither- 
spoon says that that language possesses su- 
periority over ours, the cultivation of it hav- 
ing been commenced antecedent to the cul- 
tivation of our own. I am pleased that you 
possess the key of access to the superior 
works on divinity, which, he also says, that 
language boasts/' 

To the same, 

Philadelphia, August 3, 1819, 
" This morning, I was engaged in efforts for 
the Education Society and Sabbath School, 
I feel more and more the importance, that my 
actions should be influenced by religion, and 
my conversation incorporated with it. Before 
I left my chamber, I prayed the Lord to 
give succees, or if it should comport with his 
pleasure to withhold it, to cause truth to be 
deeply blended with my conversation, and 
so successfully addressed to their minds, as 
should leave there an abiding impression, and 
cause a train of solemn, heart-improving re- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 43 

flection. No advantage occurred to the soci- 
ety or school, as I collected nothing. But 1 
was enabled to rejoice in the opportunities 
which were afforded me, for pressing the ne- 
cessity of improving the short portion of time 
allotted us. How sweet it is to endeavor to 
diffuse a love for religion in the circle of our 
acquaintance. I feel assured that my efforts 
this morning were not in vain. 

" 1 have been reading e Phillip's Speeches, 2 
and have now commenced ' Family Devo- 
tions,' by Samuel Palmer. 

" Sometime ago I read Henry on Prayer and 
find that my mind is furnished with more scrip- 
tural expressions, and more enlarged and holy 
views than before. In the commencement of 
some of his prayers, he asks for the aid of the 
Holy Spirit to assist in the duty. I hope, love, 
that you and I, may have our prayers dictated 
for us by the Holy Spirit, and constantly pos- 
sess more abundant spiritual illumination of 
understanding. 

" A work has recently appeared, entitled 
1 Reflections on Prayer, and the errors that 
prevent its efficacy/ by Hannah More. I 
shall procure it to read. 



44 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

" I have commenced i Foster's Essays/ and 
advanced as far as the middle of the Essay on 
Decision of Character. He has a very exalted 
view of things, but his style is intolerably heavy 
and dull. It was almost imposing a task on 
myself to advance thus far, for it absolutely put 
me into a stupor. However, a sentiment in it 
was the means of unveiling to me, many dis- 
guised motives of my soul, from which I have, 
been acting. I forget in what part the idea was 
embodied, and the manner in which it was ex- 
pressed, but the import was this, that as all the 
pursuits of life must ultimately resolve them- 
selves into death and judgment, it becomes us 
to act with views solely to the glory of God." 

To the same. 

Philadelphia, Dec. 22d, 1819. 

c ' My health was miserable for a few days after 
your departure. I felt extremely weak, and a 
stagnation of powers, and indisposition of mind 
towards my favorite pursuits. I scarcely knew 
whether it did not portend the putting off of 
the terrene vesture. In this state more of the 
extent of my affection for you, was developed 
to me. I could not endure the idea of leaving 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 4i> 

my loved H. to travel the toilsome path of life 
sorrowing. I sought the Lord in prayer ; and 
weeping, implored that my system might be in- 
vigorated, and that I might be spared yet lon- 
ger to His cause, and to you. I now feel quite 
well, except trifling weakness. And I shall 
gladden and endear domestic life to you, as we 
journey through this vale of tears. 

" I feel already convinced that the objects of 
the world, are unsatisfying, though they are 
sometimes imposing in their aspect. If the 
voice of inspiration were obeyed, and if the 
command, to love God, with all the ardor of 
the soul, were fulfilled, we should not see youth 
in the pursuit of happiness, diverge from the 
true path, cheated by the illusions of life. We 
should not see mature age, pursuing, though 
ever deceived, a name that mocks the expecta- 
tion. We should hear the feeble and bowed 
down with years, exult in their fulness of 
happiness derived from God. And, oh ! that 
Christians, every where, would strive to make 
religion alluring, that their fellow creatures 
should not be trammeled by objects that have 
no existence, beyond the space of a few short 
years. And may more of Christ's religion be 



46 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

seen in the characters, and lives of those, who 
minister of the things of God to immortal 
creatures. 

"I saw some valuable ideas, suggested in the 
Boston Recorder, of last week, respecting 
prayer among Christians, for all institutions of 
education. I think it would have a most happy 
tendency, if prayers were presented in public 
and private ; entreating God to reign in all in- 
stitutions for the education of youth. Yester- 
day, in reading the Report from the mission- 
aries at Sierra Leone, I experienced heart-felt 
delight at the affecting recitals of the native 
christian negroes. I hope, dear love, that this 
class of people will always receive a portion of 
your labors. Shall we not educate some poor 
little negro for a minister ? My heart glows 
with pleasing anticipation at the idea/' 

To the same. 

Philadelphia, January 31, 1820. 
" The department which I superintend at 
Sabbath School flourishes delightfully. We 
have about 100 scholars, and four scripture 
classes. I have commenced a cent society 
among them, for the education of American In- 



MEMOIR OF MRS, MALCOM. 47 

dian children. When I proposed it, the chil- 
dren bent with eager attention to listen, and 
entered into it, with an alacrity that exceeded 
ray most sanguine expectations. I confess 
that I am amply rewarded for all the attention 
I have ever expended on this interesting object. 
I wrote a report for them, the week before last, 
and took care to restrain my imagination, as 
the critic was not here. 

" A short time since, a little book was put 
into my hand, by the Rev. Mr. Engles, entitled 
• Force of Truth.' I thought that I would 
read it superficially. The author's name was 
not prefixed to it, which did not dispose me 
favorably to it. But afterwards, thinking that 
we often refuse ourselves a great deal of good, 
by not endeavoring to realize the direction of 
God, in the minor concerns of life, I determin- 
ed otherwise, and read it attentively. I find 
my heart greatly benefitted by it, and my un- 
derstanding directed to the most efficacious 
means for studying the sacred scriptures, im- 
proving in prayer, and leading a life devoted to 
God. I have since been informed, that the 
book was written by Scott, the commentator, 



48 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

The little work contains Mr. Scott's conver- 
sion and experience, and discovers the fallacy 
of the human understanding, as a guide in 
Divine things, and displays to what an awful 
extent, the mind may be fettered with preju- 
dice ; and solemnly warns to beware the errors 
to which the understanding is exposed, as 
the primary source of knowledge, necessary to 
render the present life useful, and the future 
blessed. 

" I have recently read i Chalmer's Ser- 
mons/ and was charmed and delighted with 
them. In a masterly manner, he refutes the 
astronomical objection against the Saviour's 
visit to this revolted province, and in a lucid 
and concise manner, shews that their objection, 
expunges one of the noblest attributes of Deity. 

" I am now reading ' Merivale's Devotions' 
to assist my improvement in prayer. I am 
charmed with the copious diffusion of a beauti- 
ful Christian spirit exhibited throughout. His 
views of religion are most alluring. 

" 1 have fervently importuned the Giver of 
every good, that His Spirit and power may 
abide in you — that you may not forget the re- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 49 

sponsibility of your profession, — that you may 
press through those objects, calculated to se- 
duce the affections from their owner — and 
through infinite power, triumphantly surmount 
every obstruction that would intimidate you in 
the prosecution of duty. In the various situa- 
tions, in which you are called to act, may the 
Lord enable you to remember, in whose service 
you have enlisted, and merge your most exalt- 
ed desires and views, in one great object, that 
of reconciling sinners to Christ, and edifying 
the whole body of Christ." 

She read, or rather studied, under the direc- 
tion of her friend, many highly important re- 
ligious books in the course of the next two 
years, which are named in her diary, accom- 
panied with observations which exhibit not only 
great strength of mind, but uncommonly rapid 
growth in grace. Besides several standard 
histories and biographies she read : — Stuart on 
the Mind — Mason on Self Knowledge — Watts' 
Logic — Durham and Paley's Natural Theo- 
logy, &,c, and attended several courses of 
popular scientific lectures. Macknight on the 
Epistles was her constant companion, and af- 
5 



50 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

forded her great pleasure. She also read large 
portions of Ridgley's body of Divinity. 

On the 1st of May, 1820, she was married, 
and immediately removed to Hudson N. Y. 
where Mr. M. had previously agreed to settle, 
on completing his studies at Princeton The- 
ological Seminary. 

As these important events ' drew nigh, her 
mind dwelt much on the important change they 
would produce in her situation and responsibil- 
ities, and every letter breathes a spirit of holy 
aspiration. On one occasion she says, — 

a I forget not to supplicate God, for the 
abundant shedding forth of his grace, that our 
souls may be invigorated* for extensive useful- 
ness, and a prosperous christian course. I 
have, for several days, been earnestly entreat- 
ing, that we may be assisted to remember our 
responsibility, for the discharge of our duties in 
the place whither we are going. Unless we go 
to expend the noblest energies of our souls in 
the cause of the Lord Jesus, God forbid that 
we go at all. 

" For the last few days, my experience has 
been very sweet. T was apprehensive that the 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 51 

desires of my heart, were too much toward pre- 
sent things; but I have been assisted to feel a 
greater indifference to the accession of earthly 
gratifications, and to act with a stronger refer- 
ence to death and judgment. I pray that more 
practical views of religion may be imparted to 
us both ; and that we may adopt, for a rule of 
our lives, the valuable idea of Henry— that 
' the end of one good work, should be the begin- 
ning of another.' If an unquenchable zeal for 
the promotion of the Redeemer's interest, ex- 
hibit itself in our lives, we shall find many 
afflictive dispensations averted ; and when the 
divine power inflicts the chastening of his rod, 
we shall not find his corrections aggravated by 
the remonstrances of conscience. We shall 
escape, too, that painful dissatisfaction, which 
results from having alienated ourselves from our 
God, and pursued our own ways, and our own 
pleasures, rather than his service. 

Let's turn from this earth ! for its joys and its treasures 
Are fleeting and vain, as the shadows of eve; 
And sparkling and sweet, though the cup of its pleasures, 
It sparkles to snare us, it cheers to deceive, 



O'Z MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

Let's up and be doing ! Boast not of to-morrow 
But give to our Maker each hour as it flies ; 
And our last shall remove us, from sin and from sorrow, 
To perfect and endless delights in the skies." 

The parting from her colored school, was a 
severe trial ; but her mode of taking leave, was 
afterwards found to have been greatly blessed. 
In her diary of that day, she thus writes — 

" Sunday, April 30. This day took leave 
of the teachers and scholars of the Sabbath 
school. I addressed every class on the import- 
ance of improving their time, and seeking the 
salvation of Christ ; and every teacher I ad- 
dressed individually on the responsibility of her 
situation, as teacher of those whom God had 
committed to her care, by his providence. The 
teachers wept very much, when I bade them 
farewell ; and the children, many of them, were 
much affected. I felt much afflicted in mind, 
after saying farewell : but I entreated God to 
bless what I had said, and cause it to operate 
on their hearts. And I was cheered by the 
prospect of being more useful in a more 
important situation." 

In the city of Hudson she continued to labor 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 53 

for more than six years with distinguished 
honor to herself and usefulness to the cause of 
her Redeemer. A Sunday school being soon 
formed, she took charge of the female depart- 
ment. She also formed and directed a society 
for the assistance of young ministers in pursu- 
ing an education — a Maternal Society (one of 
the first in this country) — became an active 
manager of the Female Bible Society, and in 
fine took a leading part in every benevolent en- 
deavor which became her sex. 

Her correspondence from Hudson was of 
the same elevated character as heretofore. The 
following extracts are not superior, either in 
sentiment or diction, to very many others which 
might be given. They are inserted in the hope 
of their proving useful. 

To her Husband, 

" In the commencement of the week, I ex- 
perienced much decripitude of spiritual affec- 
tions, but the Lord, who never deserts his 
children, has brought me from indifference and 
insensibility, to see how alarming a situation it 
is to be estranged from II im. Last evening I 
enjoyed a great devotional elevation, which in- 
5* 



54 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

duced in my soul a rapturous tone of feeling. 
The repose of sleep lulled their exercise for a 
time, and this morning my affections are more 
vigorous ; rejoicing and praise, bursts from my 
soul, to my deliverer, God. How happy are 
they who can claim God for their friend ! From 
whom they derive pleasures, the world knows 
not how to estimate, and can neither give, or 
take away. Happy are they who have discov- 
ered in what the dignity of human nature con- 
sists; who are daily travelling to the skies ; and 
who in the dreary hour of calamity, rely on the 
potent arm of God, and lift the song of praise 
to his watchfulness and unceasing kindness, 

" I have experienced much fervor in com- 
mending you into the hands of God, entreating 
that His presence may abide with you, and that 
whether you address the great congregation, 
or speak in the private circle, all may perceive 
and feel that you have been with Jesus, and 
have learned of Him. O that you may be made 
greatly useful to the cause of Christ, and bless- 
ed in your preaching to the conversion of 
sinners, 

" I rejoice to hear that you enjoy the pres- 
ence of God ; and feel great earnestness in 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 55 

pleading that His spirit's influences may brilli- 
antly beam forth in your conversation, conduct 
and preaching, — particularly that you may be 
greatly blessed in enlightening professors as to 
their duties for the cause of God, and the sal- 
vation of sinners. Don't forget to go to see 
uncle J., and oh ! be faithful to him, God bless- 
ed your efforts for me, and may for him." 

To the same, 

Philadelphia, Sept. 27, 1824. 
" I went to hear Mr. Summerfield yester- 
day morning. An hour before the appointed 
time, I met crowds coming away, and when I 
approached the academy in Fourth Street, I 
was accosted with " If you are going to hear 
Mr. S. you can't get in." I however, thinking 
that I might never again have an opportunity 
of hearing him, determined to try* When I 
got there, crowds issued from the gate; the 
doors and windows were thronged. Trusting to 
my size, whenever a vacancy would occur, by 
a change of position, I introduced myself, until 
I got so far forward in the aisle as to get a 
stand where I could see and hear. I never 
saw such an assemblage ! Mr. S., and two 



56 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM.' 

other ministers made their entrance by a back 
window. His emotions at the sight of the au- 
dience were visibly depicted in his countenance, 
and seemed to indicate, that he thought him- 
self a poor worm. They seemed to continue, 
until tears almost flowed. He seemed every 
thing that a minister of Christ should be. Sim- 
plicity characterized the expounding of his text, 
his language, his manner, and his matter. He 
was solemn, and faithful. His sermon seemed 
from the heart and to the heart, coming home 
to every conscience, and every one's business. 
He displayed no powerful talents. How he 
ever acquired such an overwhelming popula- 
rity I cannot tell, except I solve it by the re- 
mark of Garrick, that the reason why ministers 
did not affect the heart of their audiences more 
was, because they preached in such a cold and 
heartless manner, as though they did not be- 
lieve what they said. 

" Yesterday and to-day, I have not enjoyed 
that delightful state of piety, which I have re- 
cently been blessed with. Oh ! pray for me. 
I feel the need of your prayers, and most ar- 
dently desire to possess much of the spirit of 
Christ, I felt some pleasure in praying for a 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 57 

blessing on your preaching. Precious husband, 
I realize that l absence may abate a slight at- 
tachment but adds strength to a sincere one. 5 
My present visit to my native city, the view of 
its worldliness, its folly, and irreligion, and the 
want of piety in my relations, causes me to 
value my God and my husband more than ever. 
My home is endeared by absence. I feel it to 
be a circle, that surrounds comforts and vir- 
tues never known beyond the hallowed limits, 
and my husband, I never knew how to appre- 
ciate until seperated from him. I think of my 
peevish and fretful humours with sadness, and 
desire and pray to be more conformed to my 
Master." 

To the same. 

" Last week I called on my old friend Dr. 
J. P. Wilson, and found him, as usual, delight- 
fully condescending and instructive. At my 
request he gave me a list of some of the best 
works on the Evidences of Christianity which 
I wished for brother W, 

" Since my visit here, I borrowed Miss M. 
Edgeworth's work on Education, to the perusal 
of which Mr. Durant ascribed so much benefit. 



58 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

It is indeed a masterly production on that sub- 
ject, though not without its defects. Her ob- 
ject is to impart knowledge at an early period, 
by making toys the first vehicles to convey it. 
She presents many valuable ideas and methods; 
has obviously read and thought much on the 
subject ; displays much acumen and vivacity 
of imagination, and illustrates her ideas by facts 
which have been industriously gleaned ; but I 
deplore to find her object is merely to produce 
an accomplished, elegant scholar. The culture 
of the immortal principle is entirely overlooked. 
She seems never to have thought that her pu- 
pil is destined for an eternal existence. 

" The chilliness of the religious atmosphere 
here, makes me desirous of returning. Those 
from whom I might expect much spiritual con- 
verse and edification, I find to be mere babes 
in Christ, Oh that Christians every where 
might be aroused from this lethargy, live con- 
sistently with their profession, their hopes, and 
the demands of the cause upon their services. 
May we be instructed by the teachings of 
the Holy Spirit, strengthened by grace, in- 
flamed by heavenly zeal, and prove lights 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 59 

in the world, fruitful in every good word 
and work." 

To her Parents. 

" I intended to have answered your letter, 
Mother, but God has been pleased to smite 
with severe illness our dear little Thomas. 
Dear parents, you have once had the trial of 
parting with a child, and can form some idea 
of what our feelings were at this crisis. We 
had been looking to God, with prayers and 
tears, and anxious hearts, that He would im- 
part his grace and sustain us however He might 
cause the even to terminate. Fully confiding 
in Him, we resigned our dear babe to Him, 
desiring that the dispensation might be sancti- 
fied to our souls, and prove subservient to his 
glory. We prayed that he might be spared, if 
it comported with his good pleasure ; and that 
his grace might be imparted, that we should 
praise him for the blessing. Our judgments 
acquiesced in the bereavement, but it was hard, 
very hard to bring our affections to such a 
point, as to say, * not our will but thine be 
done ' During Friday night his torpid sleep 
continued, and we were waiting in mounful cx~ 



60 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

pectation for the morning. But God, our Fa- 
ther, our best friend, in the morning of Satur- 
day shone upon us, in answer to prayer. Our 
dear child awoke from his deep sleep, obviously 
better, looked up to us, and faintly smiled. He 
has continued to get better, and now we hope 
he will soon be well. 

" Dear parents, how happy are they who 
can go to God and tell him their troubles, and 
feel that he will do what is best for them. Oh 
that our child may be consecrated to his ser- 
vice, and that we may shew our gratitude; 
by serving him more faithfully. 

" My soul has of late, been aroused to 
uncommon prayerfulness for you, dear parents. 
The idea that time is rapidly flying, eternity 
very near, and my beloved parents not possess- 
ed, I fear, of that scriptural preparation, which 
only can enable them to see their Maker in 
peace, drives me to God, with weeping, to pour 
out the feelings of my soul before Him, on 
your behalf" 

To the same, 

" Dear Thomas visibly improves in manners 
and mind. He can give answers to about 50 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 61 

important questions. I have been in the habit 
of teaching him to pray, by dictating to him a 
prayer, (varying the thoughts and language at 
each time,) which he repeats after me sentence 
by sentence, that he may know at an early 
period of life, what are the proper topics which 
should constitute prayer. But he has got now 
so that he can compose his own prayer. I will 
give you a specimen. On Sunday evening I 
had him kneel by me, and dictated to him the 
first sentence, ' Oh Lord, many little children 
are dying with the whooping cough/ and was 
going to impress on his mind his own liability, 
but when he had repeated it, he immediately 
went on, ' but don't let me die, let me grow 
up into a big boy, to be a man to serve thee. 
Oh make me a good boy, and don't let me be 
naughty and go to hell. Make me love the 
Lord Jesus, amen.' When I laid down beside 
him, to talk with him, he said to me, ' Ma, 
to-day when I was in the wood-house alone, I 
prayed.' * Did you,' said I, ' what did you 
pray.' He said I prayed, ' Oh Lord make 
me a good boy, and don't let me be a bad boy, 
make me grow up to be a wise man to serve 
thee, amen." He asked me a great many ques- 
6 



62 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

tions, and expressed thoughts, so much above 
his years that I felt unpleasant. It is to me 
inexpressibly blissful to see the germ of piety 
thus early developing itself." 

Among Mrs. M's. special objects of regard, 
were young persons and children. This was 
shown, not merely in the Sunday school, in 
aiding the education of children at mission sta- 
tions, &c , but particularly in the Maternal So- 
ciety. Her soul went out in desires to excite 
parents to pray for their children. She not 
only was the means of forming many of these 
societies ; but of leading them on to such a 
degree of engagedness, as secures at once their 
permanence, and their utility. That at Hud- 
son, which was the first she succeeded in 
establishing, has never faultered in its good way, 
but remains, an inestimable blessing to that 
city. The following extract is from a long and 
most kind letter of condolence from that socie- 
ty, to their late pastor, after Mrs M's. decease, 

" We who were personally acquainted with 
our dear sister Malcom, and for years witness- 
ed her faithful and unwearied exertions in the 
cause of her divine Redeemer, and who even 
now, enjoy the blessed results of her labors, her 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MA LOOM. 63 

prayers, and her example, surely toe know her 
value, and have reason to mingle our tears with 
yours, and mourn the loss of one so dear to us 
all, and who was the means, in the hand of 
God, of exciting us" to the duty of uniting our 
prayers and supplications in behalf of our chil- 
dren, which have been abundantly answered in 
the conversion of thirty-eight of those dear 
children within the space of seven years. More 
than thirty of them have united with Baptist 
churches — nine of these are in one family. 
And seldom do we meet together without re- 
membering her who first met with us on these 
interesting occasions, and who is now enjoying 
' rest from her labors/ and has already receiv- 
ed the welcome plaudit, ' Well done, good and 
faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy 
Lord/ " 

On her husband's assuming the general agen- 
cy of the American Sunday School Union, in 
May, 1826, her residence was again transfer- 
red to Philadelphia. Here, among other bene- 
volent undertakings, she resumed her favorite 
employment — the care of a Sabbath school. 
The elegant hall used by Mr. Rand, as a writ- 
ing academy, having been granted her for the 



64 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

purpose, by that gentleman, she soon drew 
around her teachers and scholars of an elevated 
grade in society ; and, during her stay in that 
city, was eminently blessed in the results of 
the school. 

The following are specimens from her letters 
at this period. 

To her Husband. 

Philadelphia, Nov. 1826. 
" I trust the Lord is with you, directing you 
by his Spirit, counselling you by his wisdom, 
encompassing you by his favor, and causing 
you to see that he honors you, by making you 
instrumental in promoting and establishing his 
own precious cause. Truly it is an honor to 
co-operate with the Lord Jesus, in exeputing 
those designs of mercy to a ruined world, which 
were devised in the councils of eternity. Oh 
that our understandings may be so enlightened, 
that we may be enabled rightly to estimate the 
preciousness of this cause, and have our affec- 
tions so devoted to it, that we shall consider no 
toil or self-denial too great. I do feel an intense 
anxiety to be entirely the Lord's ; and feel my 
happiness so identified with the progress and 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. G5 

prosperity of his cause, that I cannot feel happy 
to be so inactive as I at present am. But, until 
doors of usefulness are opened to me in the 
Providence of God, I hope [ may have grace 
to seek the sanctification of all my powers, and 
the cultivation of all my graces." 

To the same, 

Philadelphia, Nov. 1826. 

" I shall not delay writing this time ; your 
business requires so much of your time and 
efforts, that it would be ungenerous in me to 
require you to write first, or much. After you 
bade good bye, I felt very sad for a little while. 
Your various little acts, previous to your de- 
parture, -to secure my comfort during your ab- 
sence, affected me. But the thought that the 
mutual endurance of privation of the enjoy- 
ment of each other's society, was for Him to 
whom we have given ourselves, assuaged my 
regrets. ' If we suffer for him, we shall also 
reign with him.' If we endure privations now, 
we shall enjoy and rejoice hereafter. 

" This thought, often brings a tear to my eye 
—•that while I am enjoying my fire-side, and 
quiet, and books ; yon are among strangers, 
6* 



66 MEMOIR. OF MRS. MALCOM. 

without these calm pleasures, Then the 
thought presents itself — this is the dispensation 
of Him who does all things well. If Infinite 
Wisdom appoints it, Infinite Wisdom also in- 
tends to accomplish something by it. Oh then, 
let us incline our hearts to learn the lesson di- 
vine wisdom would inculcate, I have com- 
menced reading Clarkson's History of the Rise, 
Progress and Abolition of the Slave Trade. I 
am deeply interested. How I venerate the 
character of Granville Sharp ! What a power- 
ful and efficient friend the Africans had in him. 
How I rejoice that we gave the good and great 
man's name to our dear angel, which now 
dwells before the throne of God. Oh that you 
may have grace and talents to be as decidedly 
the friend of youth, as he was of Africans, and 
that the generations of future times may have 
much cause to pour their gratitude and bless- 
ings on your name, and hallow your memory 
in affectionate hearts." 

To the same. 

" I feel gratified that you are successful ; 
yes, more than gratified, — I am deeply 
grateful to Him from whom all success ema- 






MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 67 

nates. Surely there is a charm in life, when 
we see the pleasure of the Lord prospering 
through our instrumentality. I have with fre- 
quency been drawn to a throne of grace on 
your account, and have enjoyed a peculiar 
nearness of access to our Father, and been able 
with unusual fervor and confidence , to plead 
that you might have wisdom, zeal, and energy, 
commensurate with the importance of your mis- 
sion. Indeed, I know not whether I am of 
any use at present, save to employ the means 
for procuring a divine blessing on yourself and 
others, who are actively engaged in the great 
cause. Chalmers, in one of his sermons, im- 
putes the eminence and usefulness of piety and 
talent which sometimes are so conspicuous in 
promoting and establishing the divine cause, to 
the prayers of those, who in secret and obscu- 
rity, plead for the accompaniment of the divine 
blessing on the use of means. I have often 
thought, when on my tours for the Bible So- 
ciety, that if I could but secure the prayers of 
one who loved the cause, though they were 
poor and of little esteem, I did more for the 
promotion of my object, than from gathering 
the money of the thoughtless rich. 



$8 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

" After you left, I knelt before our Father^ 
and, in the exercise of faith and prayer, was 
enabled copiously to pour out my feelings be- 
fore him, that you may be encompassed by his 
Divine protection, that your way might be open- 
ed before you by his holy providence, and that 
in all your journey ings, the pillar of cloud by 
day, and of fire by night, might attend you. 
As to your appearance before Congress, on be- 
half of the Society, I have prayed the Lord to 
aiford you the assistance furnished to his an- 
cient people, that he would put forth his hand 
and touch your mouth, and say to you, ' be- 
hold, I have put my words in thy mouth.' " 

To the same. 

" Rev. Mr. O.^of Poughkeepsie, desired me 
to present his affectionate regards to you, when I 
wrote. I told him he must remember you and 
your agency, in his Sabbath School Concert 
prayer meeting ; for I believed if the people of 
God only prayed for you, your exertions would 
be successful. Indeed, however discouraging 
the aspect of things may be at times, I do be- 
lieve that the cause you have embarked in, 
must ultimately prove triumphant. It has re- 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 69 

ceived so many distinguished pledges of the 
divine favor, that I hope you will allow your 
heart to be cheered by the recollection of them, 
rather than indulge discouragement for a mo- 
ment, on account of passing inauspicious cir- 
cumstances. When you shall have ceased to 
be an actor on life's scene, I verily believe that 
many will ' rise up to call you blessed,' for the 
services rendered and good effected in this im- 
portant species of benevolence. Let us wait 
upon the Lord and be of good cheer, and in 
due time we shall rejoice to see the work bless- 
ed of him, through your instrumentality. In- 
deed, the belief that you are engaged in a great 
work, makes me resigned to the privations and 
self-denial we endure, that you may prosecute 
it ; and nothing but decided evidences that God 
called to another sphere, would make me wil- 
ling to relinquish it What if we, by an ex- 
change, procured present ease and happiness, 
and gratified our heart's desires, if we aban- 
doned duty to gain these, I feel assured that 
God* would send something to corrode, as he 
prepared a worm to destroy Jonah's gourd. 

( * May the Lord abundantly bless you, by 
the manifestation of his Spirit to your soul, 



?0 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

and guide you by its blessed and unerring in- 
fluence, and cause you to be eminently useful 
in contributing to the stability of his church, 
and its preservation from error, by what you 
are doing for the youth. May He cause all 
to love you, because they see in you the genuine 
child of God, who makes it his meat and drink 
to do the will of his Father. And wherever you 
go, may you have a savor of piety that shall be 
long felt. This is the constant prayer of her 
who cherishes an ardent affection for you, and 
subscribes herself yours in an eternal union, 
Lydia M. Malcom " 

To the same, 

Philadelphia, June 25, 1827. 
l( I feel the objects of your mission to be of 
vast magnitude, and deeply and permanently 
connected with the Redeemer's kingdom. My 
sympathy for you, amid your toils and discour- 
agements, excites me to a daily and earnest 
pleading, that Omnipotence may operate 
through your instrumentality, that your soul 
may be cheered and your labor sweet, because 
your Father's hand co-operates with you, to 
produce splendid and powerful results, 



MEMOIR OF MRS, MALCOM. 71 

u Indeed, dear husband, when I think of 
your desertion of home, your self-denials, and 
other concomitant unpleasantnesses, for the 
promotion of good, a sadness and tenderness 
comes over my heart, and my affections cling 
to you with a closeness and sacredness, which 
seems more like the hallowed affection that ap- 
pertains to a state of blessedness, than that 
which is felt by a poor mortal for its fellow. 
When we were together, I felt as if you and 
my child constituted the great ties to the world : 
now it seems as ii these ties were in a great 
measure loosened. I look on the scene around 
me, as a transient pageant, and can scarcely 
feel that my happiness is dependent on any of 
its objects. I seem to be on the verge of eter- 
nity, and to live in the light of it.' 7 

In another letter, she expressed herself as 
follows : 

" # * * * I frequently feel the anticipation 
of the enjoyments of heaven, to be the dawn of 
it in my soul. To be disencumbered of a body, 
in which disease must be endured, temptation 
and sin conflicted with, and which operates as 
a shackle to the soul ; to feel the freedom of 
spirit without a fetter ; to move with the cele- 



72 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

rity with which we now think ; to find ourselves 
in the company of those who are immaculate 
in their nature, whose every act is dictated by 
a spirit of love and benevolence ; to be exempt 
from sin and sorrow forever ; to observe the 
incessantly developing glories of the divine 
character, and find ourselves continually be- 
coming more and more assimilated to it ; to 
study the operations of his wise and mysterious 
providence, as they have advanced from the 
commencement of time, and particularly that 
connected with ourselves, and find what was 
dark, becoming luminous to our vision ; to love 
God without alloy, and serve him without im- 
perfection ; to be making new discoveries of 
the benefit of the plan of redemption and sal- 
vation, as applied to the inhabitants of our 
world, and other worlds ; to be advancing in 
knowledge forever, and becoming acquainted 
with the creative power and goodness displayed 
in them ultifarious works of God throughout his 
great universe, and his various orders of beings, 
— will indeed be a ' weight of glory,' that will 
make us wonder that the expectation of it did 
not fully buoy us up under the puny trials and 
sorrows of this vale of tears. What manner of 



MEMOIR OF MITS. MALCOJfl. ^3 

people should we be, who cherish such expec- 
tations ! How supremely should we be devot* 
ed to the Redeemer, and live above the world! 
But, alas ! our lives do not exemplify enough 
the influence of the spirit of grace. The pre= 
dominant features of my experience lately, have 
been a desire to know and be conformed to the 
will of God, a mere dose scrutiny of my mo- 
tives, and a bringing of them out before God 
for examination, with prayer that they may be 
such as he shall approve. 

" May the Lerd bless you in your going 
out and coming in, in your lying down 
and rising up, in your private meditations 
and public ministrations, in your retired mo- 
ments and social intercourse — is the prayer 
of her who cherishes for you an affection 
that will mingle with the last lingerings of 
vitality — the prayer of her who owes her con- 
version to God to your instrumentality, and 
who hopes to constitute one of the gems in 
your crown of rejoicing throughout eternity.'' 



74 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM„ 

To the same. 

Philadelphia, July 11, 1827. 

" Dear husband, 

" I received jour last from Boston, by which 
I am happy to learn that yon are well, and pro- 
ceeding pleasantly in your labors. Indeed, I 
wish to be grateful that there are any symptoms 
of success and good accomplished. How many 
of the dear servants of God have toiled on with 
their mighty work, under accumulated and 
heart-sickening discouragements, and during 
their lives, saw scarcely any of the precious re- 
sults of their labors ! Such was Scott. It 
certainly does sweeten toil to see something 
now ; but I think the most valuable fruits will 
grow out of your exertions, when you shall be 
one of the great congregation of the dead. 
You are merely introducing the leaven. My 
life is now, I believe, almost useless. I try to 
do something to form the minds of Mary and 
Thomas, and try to pray for you. This is pretty 
much all that I do. I sometimes, dear love, 
when I think of the weight and responsibilities 
of your duties, almost sicken at heart. I know 
you have energy, unwearied diligence, and rely 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 75 

on the arm of strength with prayerful heart ; but 
I often fear that through some little negligence, 
some little want of discretion in conversation, 
your reputation may be sullied. Pray be careful 
not to talk much of self, or of the various charac- 
ters wiih whom you become acquainted. Truly 
we both need to live very near to God in prayer, 
Alas! I feel I am dreadfully deficient. May 
the Lord abundantly bless you by the manifes- 
tation of his Spirit to your soul, guide you by 
unerring and blessed influence, and cause you 
to be eminently useful in contributing to the 
stability of His church, and its preservation 
from error, by what you are doing for the youth. 
May he cause all to love you, because they see 
in you the genuine child of God, who makes it 
his meat and drink to do the will of his Mas- 
ter ; and wherever you go, may you leave a 
savor of piety that shall be long felt is the 
prayer of 

Yours, in an eternal union, 

Lydia M. Malcom." 

In August, 1827, it began to be apparent 
that it was her husband's duty to settle in Bos- 
ton, over the Federal Street Church, then 



78 MEMOIR OF MRS. MM.COM. 

about to be formed. She viewed this change 
with her accustomed reference to eternity, and 
religiously committed herself and the event to 
God. The following are extracts from letters 

written at this time : 

l 

"As to the Boston new Baptist Churchy 
there must by many and satisfactory evidences 
in the providence of the Most High, to assure 
us that his voice directs, Your present em- 
ployment, though replete with self-denial and 
toil, and though a weight of responsibility is* 
incumbent upon you, which frequently makes 
me feel sad on your account, and urges me ta 
plead that grace may abundantly sustain you,, 
is yet an employment from which must issue 
blessed results to the church of Christ, which 
shall be as enduring as time, and develope 
themselves throughout eternity. I should wish 
that there might be fasting and prayer among 
the people, that God would provide them a 
pastor, and their hearts be directed as the heart 
of one, if you are the man. The first pastor 
of a new church, more than any succeeding 
one, gives the tone of piety, and forms the 
©haracter of the church, which is transmitted 
to distant generations. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 77 

'« I should be exceedingly pleased to live and 
die in Philadelphia. If Boston is to be our re- 
sidence, it will undoubtedly be a great self- 
denial. It has not a single attraction for me ; 
and I shrink at the thought of rigorous winters. 
But though such a preference is irrepressible, 
my mind is solaced with the conviction, that a 
prosecution of duty, and the favor and presence 
of God, constitute happiness. I hope you will 
be very deliberate in your decision, and not led 
to it by scanty evidences of duty." 

After Mr. M. had concluded to accept the 
pastorship in Federal Street, she says, 

" Respecting Boston, and your decision, I 
have only to say, that I believe you have made 
use of every means in your power to discover 
duty, and I would act in accordance with its 
dictates. The God of providence has various 
ways in which he can make amends for the 
sacrifices and self-denials it will cost; and I 
can readily trust Him to furnish the requisite 
qualifications for usefulness, in a sphere of his 
own appointment. It will be a severe shock to 
poor papa. — Oh that God would in mercy draw 

him to seek supreme happiness in Himself!" 

7# 



4 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOMr 

Her field was now wide, and her strong 
mental powers, superior education, and obvious 
desire to be useful, soon brought her to con- 
spicuous and important stations. In all these 
she labored. It was her principle to hold no 
office, on which she could not bestow some 
reasonable share of attention. Many proposals 
of this sort were therefore declined, particular- 
ly those which had no special reference to 
children. Prudent and saving in all the small 
affairs of her family, she never postponed or 
passed by any duties in these offices, because 
it involved hackhire, or any other expense. 
With all her feebleness of health, therefore^ 
she accomplished an amount of labor, which 
many of more vigorous habits would have 
deemed impossible. 

On her first arrival, she took charge of the 
Female department of the Federal Street Sun* 
day school, and continued there till her jour- 
ney to Europe, after which her circumstances, 
and those of the family, forbad its resumption. 
Weather alone never detained her from her 
post, and no impediments diminished her reso- 
lution. Anxious to make it a model school, 
she obtained the best plans for the structure 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 79 

and arrangement of benches, &,c, and had a 
large room in the basement story of the meet- 
ing-house fitted up with every attainable advan- 
tage. As the congregation was in its infancy, 
with numerous and very heavy expenses, she 
formed a Sewing Circle, which earned in a year 
or two, several hundred dollars, and defrayed 
the entire expense of these improvements. 

The salvation of the scholars, was ever the 
point toward which she bent her energies and 
hopes. Every arrangement had regard to this. 
It was her rule, that the teachers should be all 
hopefully pious, or evidently awakened. Occa- 
sionally, through necessity, there were excep- 
tions, but all of these have ultimately become 
members of the church. A large number of 
the scholars have become ' followers of God as 
dear children.' 

At the formation of the ' Infant School So- 
ciety of the city of Boston' she was chosen a 
manager, and so extensive and acceptable were 
her efforts and abilities in this enterprize, that 
on the resignation of the First Directress, she 
was chosen to that office, and continued with 
increased ardor to prosecute this benevolent 
work. She visited the scholars at their homes 



80 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

• — often attended the school — furnished apparel 
in proper cases to the destitute — welcomed to 
her home such as came to the city to be quali- 
fied as instructers — and continued to possess 
the undivided confidence of the various denom- 
inations who composed the Society. 

These various engagements, together with 
domestic cares, did not prevent her from tak- 
ing time for correspondence, and endeavouring 
by this means also to do good. Numerous 
specimens might be given. The following are 
in no respect superior to many others in the 
compiler's possession. 

To Mrs. N. 

" We have for some time been wishing for 
an opportunity to send some articles to you and 
are pleased that this presents itself. 

" I have the mournful intelligence to com- 
municate, that Mrs. S. S. is no more. She 
died in giving birth to an infant, about four 
weeks ago. This, and the other similar in- 
stances that are frequently coming under our 
observation, teach the necessity of being pre- 
pared for our great change. Our existence here 
is but for a little while, we ' know not the day 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MA.LCOM. SI 

nor the hour when the Son of man cometh' — 
Can you, dear aunt, imagine any situation more 
dismaying than to be brought to a death bed, 
and be obliged there, vainly lamenting our 
omissions of duty, to be thrown into confusion 
of soul, expecting every moment to be plunged 
into the region of despair. Praised be the 
Giver of life, we have yet our existence granted ! 
Let us endeavor to improve it, and seek con- 
formity to the holy nature of God, that when 
we are called upon to leave this world of sin, 
care, and affliction, we may be enabled to re- 
joice that we have made the one thing needful 
the study of our lives. 

" Let us not deceive ourselves. Our eternal 
state depends on the manner in which we spend 
our present life. It becomes us solemnly to 
examine ourselves, and to ascertain our situa- 
tion in reference to the Lord Jesus. As ac- 
countable creatures it becomes us, before the 
day of life be expended, to e put on the armor 
of light' and with all diligence to * make our 
calling and election sure.' Shall we confine 
our pursuits and views to this ignoble state of 
being 1 Shall we neglect the improvement of 
the talents, with which we are entrusted, and 



82 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM, 

when, in a little while, we are called upon to 
give an account of them to our great Master, 
reply, that we buried them in the earth 1 Let 
us remember that w T e are invited to drink of 
the s waters of life freely;' and let us not, by 
our rejection, aggravate our eternal state by the 
recollection that we once possessed abundantly 
the means of securing a happy eternity. May 
your husband be your partner in the pursuit of 
eternal blessedness. May your children's minds 
receive a religious bias, that when they shall 
surrender up their souls in death, they may 
bless you for your pious care. You do not 
answer my letters — perhaps the subject is 
gloomy. If so, forgive me for so earnestly 
pressing it on you. I know the value of my 
soul and desire that every one else should be 
made sensible of the worth of theirs. You and 
I will soon appear at the great tribunal ; may 
it not be to receive condemnation, but to sing 
the song of rejoicing and triumph. Desiring 
my love to uncle and my cousins, and pre- 
senting my mother's affectionate remembrances 
to you all, I leave my letter to your serious, so- 
lemn consideration. May it not be in vain. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 83 

For ' what shall it profit if we gain the whole 
world and lose our own souls.' " 

To Miss B. 

" How delightful is the contending of the 
elements to the mind strung to contemplation ! 
How limited the pleasure of those persons, 
whose sympathies are so in unison with wea- 
ther that they exhibit themselves animated 
barometers, by displaying serenity or oppres- 
sion according to the state of the atmosphere ! 
Yesterday was quite boisterous, and though 1 
do not always enjoy nature most in wrath, 
yet I experienced an elevation and excitement 
of mind, which produced pleasure equivalent, 
though dissimilar to that derived from the 
cheering aspect of May. 

" As the weather precluded walking, my 
mind retired within itself, and resorted to mem- 
ory's treasured store. The hours irradiated by 
affection, which have eternally fled, but still 
remain indelible in memory's record, inspired 
the pleasing anticipation of enjoying a renewal 
of intercourse, when I shall with delight ad- 
dress you by the appellation of sister in Christ. 
It will be eo. I have seldom engaged in 



84 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM, 

prayer without making this a petition. Let us 
not amuse ourselves with forming theories and 
deferring the practice of them ; but let us 
promptly execute them. We must live near to 
God ourselves, if we wish others to profit by 
our endeavors. After Moses came out from 
being with God, did not his countenance radi- 
ate a light that astonished the children of 
Israel? We cannot only implant the rudi- 
ments of education in the ductile mind of 
youth, but instill the principles of religion; and 
we must endeavor to insinuate ourselves into 
the affections of those we instruct, if we expect 
much profit to result to them. Our friend H, 
used to say, ' we must possess the heart if we 
would improve the head.' We will aim at im- 
proving both. Life possesses no charm suffi- 
cient to induce in me the wish to live, except 
that of living to my Redeemer's glory. 

" I hope my endeavors to inspire a love for 
religion in our family have been blessed. Oh ! 
that they would grasp at the hope of life eter- 
nal, set before them in Christ Jesus, from 
which ( neither angels, powers, principalities, 
things present, things to come, life, death nor 
any other creature will be able to seperate us/ 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 85 

—Anxious, fond remembrance clings to my 
family and allays the ardent pantings of my 
soul, which is frequently impatient to leave this 
mortal scene. Imagination suggests, strive a 
little longer, and prophetic anticipation whis- 
pers, Divine love will accomplish the fervent 
wishes of your soul." 

In 1831, Mrs. M. accompanied her husband 
to Europe, for the recovery of his health. On 
this journey she kept a diary. Being written 
hastily, rather as memoranda, than as a con- 
nected narrative, and not containing many allu- 
sions to the state of her own heart and charac- 
ter, this journal does not afford matter which 
would be useful here. It however contains 
correct remarks on men, scenery, buildings, 
institutions, and productions. Her observations 
on the wretched superstitions and ignorance 
forced upon her notice in Italy, Ireland, Prus- 
sia, and France, show the deepest sympathy for 
the deluded and corrupted victims of the priest- 
craft and clerical infidelity, prevalent in these 
popish states. Her numerous letters to Christ- 
ian friends in the United States, are highly in- 
structive and interesting. Few " letters from 
Europe'' are more worthy of perusal. To in- 



86 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

sert them, however, would break in upon the 
order of this brief memoir as well as interfere 
with its object. 

Every where she made it her prime business 
to visit and inspect Infant Schools. This she 
did, not merely from inclination, but as a duty 
connected with her station in the Boston In- 
fant School Society. That at Geneva she 
considered superior to any she had seen in 
England, so far as regarded liberal, wise, and 
extensive arrangements for the pupils. As it 
was not in session at the time of her visit, she 
could not witness its operations. Every im- 
portant school was visited, and all such tracts, 
&/C. purchased as tended to qualify her to im- 
part the highest degree of life and energy into 
the schools of her society at home. Little did 
she think, while devoting herself to these ob- 
jects, that her Master was about so soon to 
elevate her to another sphere ! 

After her return to the United States, there 
occurred no material change in her life or 
character. She did not resume her diary. Her 
letters continue to breathe the same spirit of 
exalted piety. The following specimen may 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 87 

show how constantly she regarded the true in- 
tent of life even in " minor troubles." 

To her Husband. 

" I hope that all these minor troubles may 
be, under the divine blessing, subservient to 
bringing you into nearer and more sacred in- 
tercourse with the Father of our spirits. I 
have often thought that God has blessed pur- 
poses to accomplish by means of the afflictive 
dispensations which are appointed to his serv- 
ants. There is so much of living in public, 
where they are encompassed by such an atmos- 
phere of excitement ; so few auspicious oppor- 
tunities for calm meditation and prayer ; that it 
seems indispensably necessary they should 
sometimes be laid aside from their labors, that 
their own hearts may be cultivated, their graces 
perfected, and the whole spirit become more 
meet for the kingdom of heaven. After all 
that is said about talents and education, it is 
most important for utility in the world, that 
there should be heavenly-mindedness, and ex- 
emplification of the Christian character ; and 
these are to be produced in part by afflictive 
dispensations. The Lord abundantly sanctify 



88 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

yours to you, and cause them to produce in 
your heart and life the blessed fruits of right- 
eousness. May you be enabled to feel what 
was expressed by Dr. Ryland in the following 
lines :— 

* Though often my mind is dejected, 
Yet will I not dare to repine; 
My trials I know are selected 
By wisdom and goodness divine. 

My Father's severest correction 
Shall work in the end for my good; 
Nor ought I to doubt his affection, 
Though all be not yet understood. 

Whatever to him brings me nearer, — 
From earth, and from sin weans my heart — 
Makes Christ and his Spirit still dearer,— 
I ought to receive in good part.' " 

She continued to manifest in all letters to 
relations the most ardent desire for their spiri- 
tual good. Out of many similar exhortations 
the following only, is given as a specimen of 
the intrepidity, combined with meekness, 
which marked her discharge of this duty. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 89 

To her Father. 

February 8, 1832. 
" I did not know that Z. Collins was dead, 
until I received your last letter. I was sur- 
prized, and made to feel, dear father, an un- 
usual concern for you. O how often have I 
lifted up the voice of entreaty to you, to be 
scriptually prepared for your summons. It 
may not be distant. I look over what was 
once our neighborhood in Philadelphia, and see 
the vacancies made by the death of Walker, 
Barnhill, Dilworth, Reed, Henley, Worrel, 
Stuart, Collins, &c, and find but here and 
there one who was of their age and company. 
1 tremble when I think that the next time the 
shaft falls, it may be upon my father ! I con- 
jure you to take the bible for your counsellor 
and guide. Pray much and earnestly. I can- 
not bear to have left me, when you are called 
away, a legacy of doubt and bitterness of soul 
respecting your eternal destiny. I desire that 
when that most solemn hour shall come, it may 
be as regards you, full of hope, assurance, 
yea triumph ; — and that the blessed solace may 
be mine, that you have entered into ' the rest 
that remaineth for the people of Cod.' I 



90 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM.. 

should be happy to allure you onward in the 
path to the skies, by presenting, in my exam- 
ple, that which is irresistibly lovely in its 
influence. But alas ! I feel that in me there 
dwelleth no good thing. I can only say, 
father — come with me and wash in that foun- 
tain, ever open to sinners, where sins of crim- 
son dye shall be washed utterly away. The 
Lord enable you, dear father, to lay these 
things prayerfully to heart." 

In the latter part of 1832, as she approaced 
a confinement, a cough attended her for many 
weeks, with an extraordinary sense of pressure 
on the lungs, which afterwards proved to be 
dropsy in the chest. At that time, no such 
suspicions were entertained; and it was hoped 
that the birth of the child would remove every 
uncomfortable symptom. The reverse proved 
true. Her weakness immediately increased. 
A consultation of physicians pronounced her 
case dangerous. Another, soon after, declared 
it hopeless. The solemn fact was immediately 
communicated to her. She evidently received 
it as " glad tidings of great joy." She had 
previously said little during her illness ; but 
now, as though refreshed and excited, she en- 
tered largely into her feelings and desires. 



MEMOIR- OF MRS. MALCOM. 91 

el Oh! " said she, "how sweet is the reflection, 
that when I was young, and all the world radiant 
before me, I gave myself to Christ." u I have 
no fears of death." Many days elapsed after 
this, during which she often testified her strong 
confidence in Christ. " This is not the way I 
expected to die," she once remarked, (l but I 
am content ; and as to going now, I suppose I 
should never find a better time." 

On several occasions, she remarked, " I 
have no tie ! " " I have no tie ! " She had 
always dreaded bodily pain, and was accus- 
tomed to speak of it, as her chief terror in the 
anticipation of death. A merciful God excused 
her from enduring what she had so dreaded. 
She scarcely knew pain in all the last three or 
four weeks of her life. This was the more ob- 
viously an answer to her prayer inasmuch as her 
disease is ordinarily very distressing. She sent a 
solemn message to her beloved father, and gave 
directions as to many minor matters to be at- 
tended to after her death ; was exceedingly 
patient, and grateful for attentions ; tried to 
be useful to those about her ; and never alluded 
to her approaching dissolution but in terms of 
happy confidence. She several limes said " By 
grace ye are saved, through faith, and that not 



92 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

of yourselves, it is the gift of God;" frequently 
calling herself a " poor sinner," she would speak 
of the wonderous love and perfect righteous- 
ness of Christ, and the confidence she cherished 
in his imputed righteousness. Nothing seemed 
to disturb her. She adventured all on Christ, 
and though indwelling sin had often wrung her 
heart, she had glorious confidence in him, and 
felt that her deliverance drew nigh. She could 
say— 

" The best obedience of my hands 
Dares not appear before thy throne; 
But faith can answer thy demands, 
By pleading what my Lord has done!" 

Very early on the morning of January 15th, 
1833, she showed signs of dissolution. Her 
husband asked her if she knew that these were 
her last moments. She replied, she did. " Do 
you feel the same entire confidence and happi- 
ness, which you cherished when death was at 
a greater distance ? " u I do," was her reply ; 
— but her breathing had now become too diffi- 
cult to converse. Putting forth her hand, she 
firmly took hold of Mr. M's., and for two hours 
never relinquished it a moment. Indeed she 
never relaxed the grasp. Death, and death 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. _ 93 

only, loosed it. Little was said, for little was 
necessary. Her own reflections were deemed 
better than any that could be offered. Her 
preparations had been fully made. Mr. M. 
asked her if she had any pain ? she said 
"No." As her breathing gradually changed 
into little sighs, he inquired if she found 
the very act of dying as sweet as she had 
anticipated it would be ? She nodded an im- 
mediate assent. From this time there was not 
a sigh nor a movement. Her eyes, which had 
been shut, became languidly open, and moved 
from side to side, as if surveying the attendant 
convoy of happy spirits. They ceased to move, 
and looked up steadily ; her breathing changed 
into short and distant inspirations, and present- 
ly ceased forever ! All present instantly knelt, 
while her bereft and afflicted, but divinely sus- 
tained husband, offered fervent prayer for her 
ascending spirit, for himself, and for their four 
little ones, unconscious of their loss. 

* Sweet is the scene where virtue dies, 
Where sinks a righteous soul to rest. 

How mildly beam the closing eyes, 
How gently heave the expiring breast, 



94 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

So fades a summer cloud away, 

So sinks the gale, when storms are o'er, 

So gently shuts the eye of day, 
So dies the wave, along the shore. 

Triumphant smiles the victor brow, 
Fanned by some angels purple wing; 

Oh grave ! where is thy victory now? 
Invidious death ! Where is thy sting ? ' 

Seldom has so deep a sensation been created 
in this city by the demise of any female, as by 
that of Mrs. Malcom. Not only the vast con- 
gregation to which she belonged, and the so- 
cieties which had enjoyed her services, but 
many who had been slightly acquainted with 
her, and still more who had only heard of her 
character and labors, felt that she was a public 
loss. To gratify these, and yet secure the 
tranquillity of the afflicted family, she was im- 
mediately placed in a front parlor, where, for 
several days, hundreds called to see her beau- 
tiful remains. Many of the ministers of the 
city honored her funeral with their attendance, 
which, however, was conducted in the plainest 
and humblest manner possible. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 95 

Many letters of affectionate condolence were 
received by her bereaved and afflicted husband, 
both from the societies in which Mrs. M. had 
been active, and from individuals. All bore 
strong testimony to her exalted worth. The 
following resolutions were unanimously passed 
in the Federal Street Church, and enclosed 
to Mr. M. in a touchingly sympathetic and 
affectionate letter. 

" Resolved, — That as individuals, and as a 
church, we sympathise with our beloved pastor, 
in sorrowing for the death of his lamented wife; 
and feel her loss to be one which cannot soon 
be repaired, to him or to ourselves. 

When we remember the excellent talents 
bestowed on her by nature, and the loveliness 
with which they were clothed by Christian 
grace : — her ardent zeal in devising and exe- 
cuting schemes of usefulness, and the gentle 
spirit and demeanor, which opened to her all 
hearts, and rendered her activity so extensively 
successful in its results : — when we recollect 
how admirably she sustained herself in the per- 
formance of all her duties as a mother in the 
church, and as our pastor's companion, and 
then reflect that she has left us forever, we feel 



UO MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

the deepest emotions of bereavement and sad- 
ness :— emotions which are alleviated only by 
the assurance that our heavenly Father, in his 
providence will do nothing that is not for our 
improvement and his own glory ; and that she, 
whom we see no more amongst us upon earth, 
is now performing the duties and enjoying the 
bliss of spirits made perfect in heaven. 

Resolved, That we are called upon by her 
removal to be more faithful in the discharge of 
our own duties — to rouse ourselves to such a 
degree of activity as will prevent injury to the 
church from its bereavement, and so to learn 
wisdom from suffering, as to be more ready 
and willing to depart ourselves, whenever God 
shall call upon us to follow our sister to the 
tomb. 

Resolved, That we consider the example of 
Mrs. Malcom a valuable legacy to the church, 
and feel ourselves under solemn obligation to 
imitate its excellencies, and will ever cherish 
a recollection of her virtues." 

Thus have superior talents, refined and pol- 
ished manners, extensive attainments, and 
eminent piety, been withdrawn from earth. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 97 

Thus has the husband of her youth, and of her 
only love, been left to finish his pilgrimage alone, 
And thus have have three sons and a daughter 
lost the guide of their infancy. Eut it is well ! 
— both for her and the survivors — infinitely ! 
— eternally well ! 

" Lift not thou the wailing voice; 
Weep not — 'tis a Christian dieth;— 
Up where blessed saints rejoice, 
Ransomed now, the spirit flieth. 

High, in heaven's own light she dwelleth, 
Full the song of triumph swelleth ; 
Freed from earth, and earthly failing,— 
Lift for her no voice of wailing ! 

They who die in Christ are blessed ;— 
Ours be, then, no thought of grieving; 
Sweetly with their God they rest, 
All their toils and troubles leaving : 

So, be ours the faith that saveth, 

Hope, that every trial braveth, 

Love that to the end endureth, 

And, through Christ, the crown secureth ! 

Bp. Doane." 

It is difficult to decide what was Mrs. M's. 
leading characteristic. In the early period of 

9 



98 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

her life, resolution was, perhaps, her most obvi- 
ous trait; but it gradually subsided into caution, 
though without degenerating into timidity. She 
was seldom off her guard among strangers; and, 
even among her best friends, took care to say 
nothing which she was not willing should be 
repeated. The consequence was, that she 
never was the cause of any misunderstanding 
or difficulty in her husband's church ; and, 
though many felt unreconciled to her not visit- 
ing them, she never incurred ill will. 

The desire of usefulness amounted to a pas* 
sion, even at her first conversion ; and continu- 
ed a steady impulse to the end. Few persons 
came to the house, or fell in her way, on whom 
she did not urge, personally, the subject of re- 
ligion. Many have spoken, both before and 
since her death, of their deriving important 
benefit from her pointed and solemn conversa- 
tion. As to letters, she early made a resolu- 
tion, named in her diary of that time, never to 
write to any one without urging religious con- 
siderations in some part of it ; and from that 
rule the mass of her correspondence now before 
the author, shews that she seldom deviated. 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 99 

Her love and care for the souls of her chil- 
dren, was at all times remarkable, and many 
prayers would be offered for them, even before 
they were born. Her highest, indeed her only 
ambition for them, was their conversion, and 
usefulness in the church. The anniversary of 
the birth of each child, was always kept as a 
day of fasting and prayer. 

In presiding at meetings of Female Socie- 
ties, she was resolute to preserve exact order 
and decorum. By this means she always ac- 
complished business with despatch, and without 
that irregular and invisible mode of operating 
which scarcely evor fails to leave some ignorant 
of what is done, or displeased at the manner. 
Resolutions were passed by the Infant School 
Society, and transmitted to Mr. M., showing 
how affectionately she is remembered by those, 
who called her to preside over that important 
institution. Similar resolutions were passed 
in several other societies, with which she 
was connected at the time of her decease. 

She was accustomed, for many years to 
think and speak of death, with great pleasure 



100 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

and desire. Many extracts might be given 
from her letters and diary, showing how per- 
fectly she was prepared to give that messen- 
ger a cordial and joyous welcome. This at- 
tainment was made at an early period of her 
religious career. Under date of June 30, 1819, 
she thus writes in her diary : " In the after- 
noon Mrs. took tea with us. Before she 

came, I prayed that the Lord would make my 
conversation profitable. She had not long been 
with us, before it thundered and lightened. She 
made an exclamation, and appeared very much 
appalled. She asked me if I was not afraid of 
thunder and lightning. ' Not in the least/ I 
replied, * I am prepared for death. — ' What ! 
did you say you were prepared to die V c Yes,' 
I rejoined. ' But are you not afraid ? ' I an- 
swered, that there was nothing for me to fear ; 
that I felt it my duty to live near to God, and 
be ready to depart whenever it was his will ; 
that death would emancipate me from the do- 
minion of sin, and a world diversified with 
afflictive vicissitudes and introduce me to 
the enjoyment of immortal blessedness. She 
in surprise asked me if I felt confident of going 
to heaven. I said, * Yes, because I rely wholly 



MEMOIR OF MRS* MALCOM. 101 

on Christ Jesus. I have nothing to recom- 
mend me to the favor of God — my righteous- 
ness * is as filthy rags ;- but Christ died for 
sinners, and I feel that I am one of the chief 
of sinners. All my hope and trust is in him, 
and I am confident of going to heaven, because, 
* whoever believes in him shall not be con- 
founded.' She said, If those are your senti- 
ments, you must be one of the happiest people 
in the world. I told her that the happiness I 
enjoyed was offered to every one. She disbe- 
lieved that every one could possess it. — I con- 
tended that they may, by diligently seeking 
God, and living near to him by meditation and 
prayer. We pursued the conversation, I trust, 
with profit." 

This happy confidence prevailed during life 
and did not desert her in the hour of final con- 
flict, as is abundantly evident in the narration 
of her departing moments. Death, though un- 
expected, did not take her by surprise. She 
was habitually and actually prepared for his 
coming. It is truly surprizing that this readi- 
ness to accept the will of God in all things is 
not more common. Surely it ought to be con- 
sidered no great attainment in piety to be will- 
9* 



102 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

ing to die. It is but being willing that God 
should rule our destiny : — that we should be 
delivered from sin : — that we should serve him 
in a nobler capacity and with nobler powers. 

Mrs. M. expressed always herself with great 
exactness and elegance. This gave a peculiar 
charm to her conversation and was noticed by 
all who were in her company. She had so 
perfectly acquired this habit, and was always 
so perfectly free from affectation, that it was 
the utmost remove from that starched and 
stately manner which some exhibit; and while it 
excited respect, never repelled. In prayer, this 
rich fluency of expression was remarkably ap- 
parent. No one could be present without being 
struck with the depth, fervor and extent of her 
religious conceptions. She seemed entirely 
insensible of the presence of others, while with 
gushing tears, and multiplied arguments, she 
literally wrestled with God. She never refused 
to conduct family worship, when fatigue or in- 
disposition induced her husband to desire it; 
and in his absence from home, if the gentlemen 
who might be staying at the house, were not 
professors of religion, or declined to officiate, 



MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 103 

she never failed to go through the service 
herself 

It was her habit, always to spend some por- 
tion of the week preceeding the communion, in 
solemn preparation for that delightful and most 
important ordinance. The consequence was, 
that generally she enjoyed both pleasure and 
profit in its celebration. From many similar 
passages in her diary, the following is taken 
as a specimen : — 

" Celebrated the supper instituted by our 
Lord Jesus. During the week previous, I had 
implored the Lord to prepare all our hearts, 
that we might approach and know our own 
weaknesses, and how to estimate our Saviour's 
merits. I have often been surprised, that, 
while contemplating the elements consecrated 
to the memory of my Saviour's death, I am not 
more solemnly affected ; and chide my heart 
for having so little sympathy for those sufferings 
that procured my redemption. To-day, [ 
thought myself a poor reptile, that I could look 
on the symbols of his crucified body, without 
feeling my heart distended with grief. After 
endeavoring to ascertain the cause, I felt a 



104 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM, 

Joyous idea gleam through my mind. I thought 
that our Lord had died to purchase happiness 
for his followers, and that he does not command 
them to be sorrowful whilst participating in this 
relic of his love, but to do it ' in remembrance 
of him ;-' to call to mind his exalted attributes^ 
and, by reminding us of his sufferings, and by 
the most powerful and exquisite passions of the 
human soul- — gratitude and love — be constrain- 
ed to desire to partake more and more of the 
divine effulgence of his graces." 

A few months afterwards, she says : " I re- 
joice that my irritable disposition is more sub- 
dued. Perfect the work, O Lord, and, by its 
complete extirpation, may I give evidence of 
the conquests of the cross. My heart delights 
more to attend frequently the house of God. I 
have lately experienced a more ardent panting 
for holiness, than I remember having ever be- 
fore felt. Thou hast promised, Lord, that 
those that ' hunger and thirst after righteous- 
ness shall be filled. ' In me accomplish it, I 
pray. For the last few days I have felt an un- 
common and deep concern for Christ Jess souls. 
I plead with the Lord for them, and entreated 
him to grant that the power of his Spirit should 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 105 

preside on my lips, that I may be blessed to 
them. I felt, at the sacramental celebration 
of infinite love, that I had never experienced 
such happiness before. 1 ' 

She possessed much natural fortitude , which, 
combined with her religious attainments, kept 
her always sustained and energetic in the hour 
of trouble. The following specimens might be 
multiplied tenfold. 

To her Husband. 

u My earthly comforts run very low, but my 
spiritual comforts mount very high. This fact 
furnishes me with a proof that a great attain- 
ment has been made in the divine life ; and 
so great has been my joy at the discovery, that 
my afflictions are swallowed up in praise. Oh 
if this produce such a kindling of glory in my 
soul, what will be the nature of that, wrought 
out hereafter, by these afflictions, when I shall 
* see him and be like him ;' and when not a 
vestage of sin shall remain. 

" I feel a sweet pleasure in giving you and 
myself up into the hands of God. I have noth- 
ing to ask, but that his holy pleasure may be 
done in reference to us. 



106 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 

" A triumphant confidence in the wisdom of 
the divine appointments enables me to say,, 
i Although the fig tree shall not blossom, &c. yet 
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God 
of my salvation/ c God is my refuge and 
strength a very present help in time of trouble. 
Therefore will I not fear.' I feel myself a poor 
worm — perfect impotence, trusting in Him who 
is omnipotent. T feel an intense anxiety (and 
a heavenly sweetness mingles with it) that 
the visitation may be abundantly sanctified 
to my soul. 

" Oh if it but deepens the impress of my 
Saviour's image on my heart and character, 
it will be all well in time and eternity. I da 
indeed feel that, 

" Trials make the promise sweety 

Trials give new life to prayer, 
Trials bring me to his feet, 

Lay me Iow ? and keep me there/* 

" May affliction induces us to consider what 
duties we have left undone, and may the detec- 
tion of them inspire a determination of a more 
rigid devotedness, and closer communion with 
God. < Not that alone which solaces and 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 107 

shines— the rough and gloomy challenges our 
praise.' 

* Thro' time's dark womb, our judgment right, 

If our dim eye was thrown, 
Clear should we see the will divine. 

Has but forestalled our own. 

Our hearts are fastened to this world. 

By strong and endless ties ; 
And every sorrow cuts a string. 

And urges us to rise.' " 

To the sam&. 
" The case appears very discouraging to me, 
and I feel much despondency respecting our 
future prospects, which I endeavor to dissipate 
by reviewing all the way our God has led us, 
and marking well his deliverances when all 
seemed overcast with portentious gloom. I do 
bow before the rod that smites, and kissing it 
cry out to God that the stroke may be sanctified. 
I am in distress, but not in despair. I am cast 
down but not forsaken. I have prayed much 
for months to be baptized into the spirit of 
Christ. Perhaps the prayer is to be answered 
by these trials — perhaps they are to test and 
decide whether the prayer has been answered. 



108 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

He has said, < when thou passeth through ths 
waters they shall not overflow thee, and through 
the flames they shall not kindle upon thee/ yea, 
that he is " a friend that sticketh closer than 
a brother/ all his precious dealings have proved 
this to us. My soul clings to Him who has 
given his promise for comfort and support. 
Being able to say from experience, thus far has 
He done all things well, we will still leave our 
case with Him, upon whom we have been cast 
from the womb, and prayerfully wait upon Him 
who is the helper of such as cry unto Him. 
Affliction is designed to teach us, that this is 
not our abiding city ; but that we are but so- 
journers and pilgrims here, and citizens of an 
eternal world. If this truth operates on the 
soul, we shall mount above grovelling pursuits, 
and live on the joys that proceed from the foun- 
tain of Life. Our heavenly rest will be the 
sweeter, after passing the tests assigned us 
here. With myriads of unfettered spirits 
we shall then, 

« with extacy look down 

On what once shocked our sight, 
And thank the terrors of the past, 
For ages of delight.' *' 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 100 

In regard to her husband, she was chiefly 
remarkable for a constant and earnest desire to 
sustain and assist Mm as a Christian minister. 
Though his engagements scarcely allowed him 
to sit down with her at home ten minutes at a 
time, during their whole connection, she never 
demanded more attention, or cherished im- 
patience. She often spoke of it, even with 
tears ; but regarded it as a cross, cheerfully to 
be borne for the good of others. To contribute 
to his usefulness, either by what she could do, 
or what she could forego, was as her meat and 
drink. Hence .she cheerfully copied* or read 
for him ; at any time, saw visitors, and saved 
his time in every possible way. When he was 
specially engaged, she would wait on the front 
door, that only those who really needed an in- 
terview, should be admitted, and that those who 
did not see him, might not be offended by the 
indiscretion or bluntness of a servant. She 
especially reverenced him as her spiritual fath- 
er, and often alluded to that fact in her letters 
and conversation. None loved or sought his 
ministry more than she, or felt more deeply the 



Her penmanship was remarkably elegant and rapid . 
10 



1 10 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALC0M. 

privation of it when kept at home. She strove 
to make his home a place of rest and peace ; 
and though naturally of an unamiable dispo* 
sition, she made herself, through grace, one of 
the best of wives, and lived, during her thir- 
teen years of married life, in as great a share 
of conjugal fidelity, as falls to the lot of most. 

Her mind being habitually established in as- 
surance of hope, she cherished a holy contempt 
of earth, and a firm trust in the eternal coven- 
ant between the Father and the Son, as the 
tower of her strength and salvation. Dwelling 
on its vastness, its magnificence, its certainty^ 
she longed to realize her splendid imaginings • 
and when the convoy came, she spread the 
pinions of her faith, and joyously soared to 
God. 

Reader ! follow them " who by faith and pa- 
tience inherit the promises. 5 '— God grant that 
the perusal of this memoir may not rise up in 
judgment against you l ; 



MEMOIR OF MRS, MALCOM. Ill 



| The following is abridged from a sketch of the character of 
Mrs. M., by a gentleman who had seen much of her. It ap- 
peared as editorial in the Christian Watchman of Aug. 23, 
1833, the writer of it having charge of that paper during the 
temporary absence of the editor. 

CHARACTER OF MRS. MALCOM. 

" He who flatters the dead, deceives the living." 

This observation of the great English moral- 
ist contains a truth whose weight and import- 
ance, we fear, are but feebly realized by most 
eulogists of the departed. How rarely is the 
revealed model and standard of character re- 
ferred to, in determining the claims of the dead 
to the esteem and imitation of the living 1 Of 
how many who have been canonized by the 
blind partiality of friendship, or the base adu- 
lation of interest, may we justly fear that the 
final Judge will say, u I know you not. 35 

One of the worst consequences of indiscri- 
minate praise, is, that it destroys confidence in 
the accounts of real and superior excellence ; 
and so intercepts the influence of high and 
bright examples on the public mind. Such 
examples are greatly needed. Christianity is 
best seen in the exalted character it has im- 



118 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOST, 

parted to its truest and most devoted disciples : 
— the exalted character of conformity to the 
Son of God. Such examples are worthy to be 
distinctly portrayed for the benefit of the livings 
and that divine grace may be glorified in them 
forever and ever. 

We again recur to the interesting and valua- 
ble sketch of one of the loveliest of women ^ 
which appears in the American Baptist Maga- 
zine of this month, for the sake of noticing two 
or three points, which, confirmed as they were 
in our case, by the faithful remembrances of 
personal knowledge, struck us most forcibly in 
its perusal. There is little danger, however of 
recurring too often to so dignified and beauti- 
ful an example of those graces of character, 
which constitute, in all circumstances, the 
Christian's " meetness for the inheritance of 
the saints on high*" In Mrs. Malcom's per- 
son and station, those graces naturally shone 
with peculiar lustre, and have given her name 
and memory to the Christian Church at large, 
and especially to the circle favored with her 
acquaintance, as a glorious watchword in. all 
future time 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM.. 113 

" Praise, for yet one more name, with power en- 
dowed, 

To cheer and guide us, onward as we press; 
One more bright image on the heart bestowed, 

To dwell there, beautiful in holiness. 

HEMANSo 

The first peculiar trait in Mrs, Malcom's 
character which arrests attention, is, the su- 
perior VIGOR AND ELEVATION OF HER MIND. 

Her very form and countenance ; her noble 
forehead, dark eye, and eloquent smile, be- 
spoke this. So did the tones of her voice, 
which possessed a singular and affecting me- 
lody ; while her very enunciation conveyed the 
idea at once of the utmost refinement, united 
with the sweet simplicity of a child. Every 
one, indeed, must have been strongly impress- 
ed with the unaffected dignity of her person, 
manners, and deportment. No woman we ever 
knew 7 , seemed so perfectly to embody Milton's 
ideal conception of Eve. 

Another trait in Mrs. Malcom's character is, 

THE DEEP-TONED FERVOR, AND RADIANT JOY 

of her piety. This is indeed evident in all 
her correspondence which the whole tenor of 



114 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM'. 

her life corroborated and confirmed. It wa^ 
not the flash of strong occasional emotion, but 
an ardor daily sustained by prayer and medita-* 
tion, and exercised in all the appropriate duties 
of her sphere ; and equally distinguished, at 
once, by its depth and steadiness, its holy self- 
abasement, its tenderness of affection, and its 
perfect rationality. Observe how she speaks 
of her feelings at the time of her public recep- 
tion into the Sansom Street Church, by Dr. 
Staughton, in her twentieth year ; — at her 
second communion with the church; — when 
mourning over the remains of indwelling sin ;— 
or after an advancement in self-knowledge. 

In addressing her brother, too, what a clear 
and noble testimony does she bear to the worth 
of vital and practical religion I 

The same fervor, and joy of piety are strik- 
ingly evident in her letters to her husband, 
when about to settle in Hudson, in 1S20, and 
while engaged in his General Agency of the 
American Sabbath School Union. 

And O how beautifully are her sentiments 
oh God's parental discipline of his children in 
this world, developed near the close of life, in 
the letter in which she points out the use of 
i( minor troubles/' 



Memoir op mrs. malcoSs. 115 

It cannot be imputed to any other cause than 
this fervent and habitual piety, that, as he? 
biographer observes, 

" She never refused to conduct family wor- 
ship, when fatigue or indisposition induced her 
husband to desire it ; and in his absence from 
home, if the gentlemen who might be staying 
at the house were not professors of religion, or 
declined to officiate, she never failed to go 
through the service herself," 

The natural tendency of evangelical views 
of the death of Christ to promote the purity 
and happiness of the believer, are admirably 
displayed by her remarks on the Lord's Sup- 
per. Thus, when speaking of the concern she 
had felt, because she was not moved to more 
lively sorrow in view of the sufferings of our 
Lord, she adds — 

" After endeavoring to ascertain the cause, 
I felt a joyous idea gleam through my mind. I 
thought that our Lord had died to purchase 
happiness for his followers, and that he does 
not command them to be sorrowful whilst par- 
ticipating in this relic of his love, but to do it 
' in remembrance of him ; J to call to mind his 
exalted attributes, and, by reminding us of his 



116 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

sufferings, and by the most powerful and ex- 
quisite passions of the human soul — gratitude 
and love — -constrain us to desire to partake 
more and more of the divine effulgence of his 
graces." 

A third trait in Mrs. Malcom's character, 

VVaS, THE EXQUISITE BALANCE AND HARMONY 
OF HER VARIOUS POWERS AND VIRTUES. Her 

mind seemed to be developed fully, and in the 
most beautiful proportions. Her moral and 
intellectual attainments were of a very high 
order and wide extent ; while they seemed to 
be regulated by the most delicate and consum- 
mate prudence. 

Though naturally of an irritable tempera- 
ment, christian meekness was perhaps the 
crowning grace in her character. Her taste 
was singularly elevated and refined ; her man- 
ners polished, dignified, and easy ; her counte- 
nance and form full of every feminine attrac- 
tion, full of every intelligent, sweet, and pure 
expression, full of all that suggests to our minds 
the idea of superhuman excellence. And all 
this rare combination of lovely qualities, was 
seen so warmly, so constantly, so gently con- 
secrated to duty and to usefulness ; irradiating, 



MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOlff. II? 

adorning, and moving to holy and benevolent 
activity every circle in which she moved y from 
the lowest to the highest, alike in the Sabbath 
School of African children, and at the head of 
the Boston Infant School Society, that we can 
hardly forbear uttering the impassioned apos- 
trophe of the poet, as the real description of 
our feelings, 

* Oh, there was round thee such a dawn 

Of light ne'er seen before; 
Jls fancy never could have drawn, 

And never can restore ! ? 

This exalted harmony of character, perhaps 
more than any thing else, seemed to preclude 
envy. Among all classes and denominations 
of Christians, she was equally esteemed and 
beloved. Her pre-eminence was at once felt 
and acknowledged, among the most refined 
and cultivated of her own sex. What one lady ? 
of high distinction in society, once remarked of 
her in our hearing, seemed the common senti- 
ment — " I have known many who appeared 
pre-eminent in some one qualification for use- 
fulness ; but I never met with one, who seem- 
ed to me to combine so many, and in such per- 



118 MEMOIR OP MRS. MALCOM. 

fection, as Mrs. Malcom. She seems to live 
but to do good." Another observed of her, 
" We trust we can love and admire the excel- 
lence which we cannot reach ; and we shall 
feel happy in laboring to imitate it too." We 
trust these feelings are universal. It would 
indeed be exceedingly criminal not to glorify 
God for his grace, in raising up before our eyes, 
so lovely an example of conformity in character 
to the image of his Son, 

And this suggests to us another trait in her 
character, which is, the distinctness op 

THAT DIVINE CHANGE WHICH TOOK PLACE IN 
HER MIND WHEN SHE BECAME A REAL CHRIS- 
TIAN. It has sometimes been said, that con- 
version is not necessary to those, whose dispo- 
sitions from early youth are pure, correct, and 
amiable in human estimation. And when such 
a change is professed, there are many who can-* 
not comprehend its sincerity, or, in what it 
really consists. Such persons might be profited 
by studying the moral history of Mrs. Malcom, 
They might see, that notwithstanding her 
youthful purity, dignity and loveliness, she was, 
lip to the time of her conversion, ' a lover of 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 



Il<? 



pleasure more than a lover of God.' The car- 
hal mind is in all circumstances^ even of the 
highest refinement, " enmity against God." 
This, then, was her sin, this her misery and 
condemnation in her unconverted state, the de- 
grading and ungrateful idolatry of her mind 
and affections, in the sight of her Creator, 
Benefactor, Father, Sovereign, and Judge. 
Yet while thus beguiled by the fascinations of 
the world, eager in the chase of pleasure, and 
* alienated from the life of God/ she found not 
true peace. Hear her own subsequent confes- 
sion. " I have been an ardent votary of what 
the world calls pleasure ; but I solemnly de- 
clare that I never knew pleasure until I knew 
God." 

Another beautiful trait in the character of 
our departed friend is, the peculiar happi- 
ness OF HEPv CONJUGAL UNION, DERIVED 

from religious sources. It might seem that 
the conscious possession of such powers as 
those of Mrs. Malcom, especially when associ- 
ated with some superiority of age, and the feel- 
ings of an heiress, might tend to lessen that 
gentle deference and sweet submissiveness of 



1£0 MEMOIR OF Mrs. malcom. 

spirit, which is equally the duty and the charm 
of woman in her conjugal relations. We can- 
not but admire how every tendency of that kind, 
was in her case effectually counteracted, not 
more by her general sense of propriety, than 
by the singular fact, that the husband of her 
choice had been chosen of God as the instru- 
ment of her conversion, the first, and most 
faithful, if not indeed the only guide of her 
soul, to happiness and God. What a bond of 
reverential and grateful love was this, to a mind 
so exquisitely alive as was hers, to all the bless- 
edness of an eternal salvation in Christ ! If 
Paul in reference to a similar bond, could say 
to Philemon, " thou owest me even thine own 
self," who can wonder that the love of Mrs. 
Malcom to her spiritual father and friend, 
should partake so largely of the character of 
religion. 

The closing scene, depicted in the memoir, 
speaks for itself to every heart. What page of 
romance can be produced, equal in touching 
power, to this page of calm reality ? What 
wedded pair, in looking forward to the certain 
and trying hour of approaching separation, can 



MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM. 121 

hope to find it a holier and sweeter scene than 
this ? For ourselves, we cannot realize it 
without tears. 

The firm and thrilling pressure of that dying 
hand, through which were conveyed with electric 
power the last pulsations of a heart so tender 
and so full of heaven — what language did it 
speak to him, whose agony, and yet whose 
happiness it was, to feel it 1 We are so forci- 
bly reminded of the beautiful language of Edith 
to Herbert, in Mrs. Heman's English Martyrs,, 
that we must transcribe it for our readers. It 
requires no effort of the imagination, to con- 
ceive that such were the dying sentiments of 
Mrs. Mai com. 

" To Heaven! my guide to Heaven, 

My noble and my blessed! Oh look up, 

Be strong, rejoice, my Husband! But for thee, 

How could my spirit have sprung up to God, 

Through the dark cloud which o'er its vision hung, 

The night of fear and error ? Thy dear hand 

First raised that veil, and showed the glorious world— 

My heritage beyond. Friend I Love and Friend ! 

It was as if thou gav'st me thine own soul 

In those bright days! — Yes! a new earth and heaven, 

And a new sense for all their splendors born, 



122 MEMOIR OF MRS. MALCOM, 

These were thy gifts! and shall I not rejoice 

To die, upholding their immortal worth, 

Ev'n for thy sake ? Yes 1 filled with nobler life 

By thy pure love) made holy to the truth, 

Lay me upon the altar of thy God, 

The first fruits of thy ministry below; 

Thy work, thine own! — 

And let me bless thee Husband! in this hour; 

Let my soul bless thee with prevailing might? 

Oh! thou hast loved me nobly! — as a pearl 

Of richest price; and thou didst fill my soul 

With the high gifts of an immortal wealth. 

I bless, I bless thee! Never did thine eye 

Look on me but in glistening tenderness, 

My gentle Husband ! Never did thy voice 

But in affection's deepest music^speak 

To thy poor Lydia! Never was thy heart 

Aught but the kindliest sheltering home to mine 3 

My faithful, generous Husband! 

Alas! thy tears 
Fall fast upon my cheek — forgive! forgive! 
I should not melt thy noble strength away 9 
In such an hour. , 

Sweet Lydia, no! my heart 

Will fail no more; God bears me up through thee: 
And by thy words, and by the heavenly light 
Shining around thee through thy very tears, 
Will yet sustain me! ******** 



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(724)779-2111 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





017 648 313 1 • 



